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‘Nigeria Should Be A Country Of Particular Concern’ — US Lawmaker Appeals To Trump

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In the US House of Representatives, Representative Riley M. Moore, who represents West Virginia’s Second District, has pushed President Donald Trump to declare Nigeria a Country of Particular Concerns (CPC).

In the letter, which was sent to US Department of State Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, DC, on October 6, 2025, the lawmaker begged the US government to immediately stop arms sales and all related technical assistance to Nigeria until the “Nigerian government demonstrates that it is sufficiently committed to ending the reign of persecution and slaughter.”

Moore asserted that at least 7,000 Christians had been brutally killed by “Muslim extremist groups” between January and September of 2025.

He said that since 2015, at least 250 Catholic priests had been attacked or killed nationwide, emphasizing that “between the Boko Haram uprising in 2009 and 2025, 19,100 churches in Nigeria have been attacked or destroyed.”

Nigeria was reportedly named a CPC by Trump during his first term, but former President Joe Biden undid that designation.

Nigeria is undergoing a “Christian genocide,” according to political journalist Van Jones, television host Bill Maher, and US Senator Ted Cruz.

Senator Cruz said in a recent podcast interview with American talk show host Bill Maher that Christians in Nigeria were being systematically persecuted and killed, calling the scenario “genocide.”

However, the story has subsequently been rejected by the Federal Government, which claims that no specific religion is targeted by the nation’s worsening security situation.

Oshiomhole Faces Backlash From NUPENG For Supposed Anti-Labour Comments

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The recent remarks made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole on national television have angered the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which has called them a heinous violation of established labor rules and a heinous attack on the fundamental rights of Nigerian workers.

The Nigerian oil and gas workers’ union, NUPENG, said that it has proclaimed Senator Adams Oshiomhole Persona Non Grata for his unwavering condemnation of the PENGASSAN strike against the unwarranted dismissal of 800 engineers for exercising their fundamental right to unionization.

The union stated that, in order to put this decision into practice, it will no longer support or endorse any event that involves Senator Oshiomhole.

The general secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, and president of NUPENG, Comrade Williams Akporeha, jointly signed a statement accusing Oshiomhole of trying to justify the persecution of employees for exercising their basic rights to peaceful action and association.

“We see with great dismay how a former labor leader has changed into a strong supporter of corporate tyranny and is actively fighting for the very liberties he once defended.

Not only are his attempts to justify the retaliation against workers for exercising their fundamental rights to peaceful action and association disgusting, but they also blatantly violate Nigerian labor law and the conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The first irony is that we are forced to consider whether it is accurate to say that former President Olusegun Obasanjo described Senator Oshiomhole as “a Comrade in the morning and a politician by night” at a dinner hosted by the Nigeria Labor Congress during one of its Delegates Conferences.

NUPENG stated, “If the description of Senator Oshiomhole by former President Obasanjo is accurate, we must inquire as to whether such a person is qualified to give a lecture on strategy and/or morality.”

The union went on to say: “How can someone who once counseled accused corrupt politicians to join the APC in order to have their sins pardoned have the audacity to preach about morality?

It also says a lot about Senator Oshiomhole’s character because he falsely claimed to have resigned from his position as General Secretary of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) after being elected President of the NLC.

According to the statement, “it is undeniable that Mr. Adams Oshiomhole served as NUTGWN’s NLC President and General Secretary from 1999 to 2007 and that he did not resign the General Secretary role until 2008, a full year after he left the NLC Presidency.”

According to NUPENG, the senator has a “pathological tendency to rewrite history to suit his current reactionary advocacy for the unconscionable capitalists who are not prepared to accommodate trade unions, opting instead for slave labor.”

We reiterate the unambiguous legal provisions for clarity’s sake:

In reference to the unionization problem, NUPENG stated that Section 40 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides the right to freedom of organization and assembly to all individuals in Nigeria, including foreigners.

Additionally, Section 9(6) of the Labour Act, Cap L1, LFN 2004 stated that contracts that attempt to bar employees from joining a trade union are expressly prohibited.

Furthermore, according to NUPENG, Nigeria has ratified both ILO Convention 87 (Freedom of Association) and Convention 98 (Right to Collective Bargaining), which both uphold employees’ freedom to organize and join any union they choose without hindrance for the purpose of engage in negotiations.

“By virtue of Section 254C (1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution, these fundamental international standards have been made constitutional provisions, and the mass termination of workers for unionizing is a flagrant violation of them,” the statement stated.

APC Leader In Taraba Refutes Claims Linking Him To Gov Kefas’ Alleged Defection

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Chief David Sani Kente, a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, has vehemently refuted frequent allegations that he is responsible for attempts to recruit Governor Agbu Kefas of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC.

In a phone conversation with reporters in Jalingo on Monday, Kente, the Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) 2015 candidate for governor of Taraba state, called the allegations baseless and detrimental to his political standing.

He affirmed that no such talks have taken place and underlined that he has not been contacted by Governor Kefas about any preparations for defection.

“As I speak to you, the governor has not expressed his desire to join the APC.

Kente claimed that during the previous two years, almost every member of the APC had shunned him and turned down offers from the federal government that were intended for him.

Some APC members have accused Kente of secretly negotiating the governor’s defection, which has negatively impacted his political status inside the party, Kente lamented.

He went on to say, “They have further harmed my political programs by claiming that I orchestrated the governor’s plans to join the APC.”

Being from the same local government council as Governor Kefas, the APC stalwart voiced dismay that he and other influential Southern Taraba politicians had not been contacted about any potential relocation.

In the same way that you perceive it as a rumor, so do his close APC colleagues.

Kente stated, “As of right now, the governor has not contacted any of us,” referring to an exchange with Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya, who likewise denied receiving any information.

Out of respect, Kente had previously declared that he would not run against Kefas, but he made a suggestion that the changing political climate might make him change his mind.

“Dynamics are changing, and decisions change when dynamics change,” he said.

Kente reflected on his previous political endeavors, recalling how he and Senator Ikenya collaborated to form the APC in Southern Taraba in 2016.

He asserts that mutual respect and consultation are essential to Jukun traditional traditions, particularly when it comes to delicate political decisions like defection.

According to our culture, our brother ought to have informed us if he intended to join our party. All we know at the moment, however, are rumors,” he stated.

Kente vehemently urged the members of the APC to reject the rumors and cease holding him responsible for something he maintains he has no knowledge of.

He made it clear that if the governor is thinking about visiting the APC, it is not with our knowledge or consent.

$10bn Deal: Northern Elders Attract Major Funding For Mining, Agriculture, Power Projects

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In an effort to promote industrialization, draw in investment, and harmonize development policies throughout the northern region, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) yesterday announced the creation of the Northern Nigeria Economic Development Council (NNEDC).

The announcement came after the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialization Summit (NNIIS) in Abuja concluded successfully, with attendees pledging more than $10 billion in new investments in the fields of power, mining, and agriculture.

The Forum stated that the NNEDC would function as the institutional framework for carrying out a Northern Nigeria Economic Development Masterplan, emphasizing security, policy coherence, and private capital as pillars for the region’s economic transformation. The statement was signed by Prof. Ango Abdullahi, the Chairman of the NEF Board of Trustees.

With the theme “Unlocking Strategic Opportunities in Mining, Agriculture, and Power (MAP 2025),” the two-day summit brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Federal Government, northern governors, the NNDC, the private sector, development partners, financiers, academics, and civil society organizations.

“Investment promotion agencies from the 19 Northern Nigerian States, corporate sponsors, and deal room/matchmaking (B2B, B2G) sessions also showcased investment opportunities at the summit,” he said. Over $10 billion in significant investments in mining, agriculture, and power were promised over the following five years.

In addition, representatives from Bangladesh, South Africa, India, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey were there and pledged to invest billions of dollars in the region’s developing industries.

Strategic presentations, high-level speeches, panel discussions, and masterclasses examining sectoral strengths, obstacles, and investment possibilities in mining, agriculture, and electricity were all part of the summit.

The federal government’s commitment to revitalizing Northern Nigeria’s economy through collaboration and institutional capital mobilization was reinforced by President Bola Tinubu, who opened the summit on behalf of Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.

In response, NEF conveyed gratitude for the President’s backing and promised to maintain accountability in fulfilling this national commitment.

Governors from the North West, North East, and North Central regions pledged their states to a single regional economic vision at the event by signing the Northern Nigeria Economic Development Charter.

The newly established NNEDC will coordinate the execution of the Northern Nigeria Economic Development Masterplan (NNEDM) while functioning under the joint supervision of NEF and the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NNGF).

Within 60 days, an operational roadmap will be published by the Joint Implementation and Monitoring Taskforce (JIMT), which will also supervise transitional measures. Quarterly scorecards will be issued by the NNEDC to monitor quantifiable results including investments mobilized, jobs produced, and energy capacity added.

The occasion represented “a decisive pivot from rhetoric to execution” in Northern Nigeria’s development trajectory, according to remarks made by Prof. D.D. Sheni, Director-General of NEF.

In his words, “Northern Nigeria can transform its endowments into sustainable growth with security as the bedrock, policy coherence as the framework, and private capital as the engine.”

NEF reaffirmed its dedication to openness, responsibility, and equitable prosperity as it guides the area into a new phase of concerted economic development.

“Significant deposits across states (such as gold, copper, lithium, tantalite, and granite),” he continued. Regional supplier ecosystems; potential for mineral-based industrialization and local processing.

Without effective ESG protections, there is a risk of illegal mining, environmental damage, and social unrest. inadequate mineral resource data.

Clear royalties, community involvement, conflict resolution, E&S compliance, and reliable, consistent permitting are all necessary. Reforming the governance of mining and natural resource development is necessary.

The participants placed a strong emphasis on using capital-market tools (project bonds, sukuk/green bonds, and infrastructure funds) to finance off-grid/mini-grid solutions, transmission, generation, and distribution.

“To expedite the delivery of infrastructure, use standardized PPP frameworks and model contracts with transparent procurement and risk allocation.

Establish Community Benefit Agreements, grievance procedures, and land administration reforms (digitized cadastre, explicit titling, and time-bound consent).

“Start a capital mobilization program in Northern Nigeria by utilizing DFIs, pension funds, sovereign and diaspora capital, and creating blended-finance vehicles and thematic instruments (project bonds, infrastructure, sukuk, and green).”

Nigeria’s House Examines Economic, Regulatory, Security Implications Of Crypto And PoS Systems

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In order to examine the economic, regulatory, and security ramifications of cryptocurrency adoption and point-of-sale (PoS) operations in Nigeria, the House of Representatives has started the process.

The Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, established an Adhoc Committee to accomplish this yesterday in Abuja.

Speaking during the committee’s inauguration, the Speaker was forced to do so because of the mounting worries about fraud, cybercrime, and consumer abuse in the digital banking sector.

Given its opaque character, questionable legal framework, ambiguous governance structure, and lack of accountability, he emphasized that there were legitimate worries about its vulnerability to money laundering and terrorism financing.

However, according to Abbas, it is important to recognize the inherent fragility of cryptocurrency activities.

He said: “The House of Representatives felt it was necessary to create regulations and consumer protection measures that will regulate the activities of Virtual Assets Service Providers, including cryptocurrencies and crypto assets, due to the lack of clear regulations and the volatility and complexity of the technology.”

This makes the Ad-Hoc Committee essential. In order to gather pertinent information from interested parties to help the House draft legislation for a regulatory framework for the currency’s adoption in our economy, it is primarily responsible for holding public hearings.

“Its work will also serve as a guide for the House in its oversight functions pertaining to Nigeria’s use of digital currency.”

Hon. Olufemi Bamisile, the committee’s chairman, had earlier stated that the task is important to the country and aims to balance national security and financial innovation.

He said that the committee’s work would be centered on creating a legal and regulatory framework that protects citizens and the integrity of the country’s financial system while promoting innovation.

The group will work closely with important security and regulatory organizations like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), according to the chairman.

In addition, he emphasized, the committee would collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC).

“A task of national significance has been entrusted to us: to review the economic, regulatory, and security implications of cryptocurrency adoption and Point-of-Sale operations in Nigeria,” stated Bamisike.

Globally, technology is changing the way financial systems are structured. The rapid growth of cryptocurrency and proof-of-stake (PoS) activities in Nigeria has opened up new avenues for innovation, financial inclusion, and trade.

However, there are also significant hazards of fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, financing terrorism, and regulatory ambiguity that come with these prospects.

‘Growth Hasn’t Fully Translated Into Jobs’ — Tinubu Acknowledges

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/On Monday, President Bola Tinubu recognized that Nigerians still do not have enough jobs as a result of the economic progress and achievements of his administration.

This was stated by Tinubu in Abuja during the commencement of the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#31), which was organized by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

In order to boost employment and the economy, he promised that his administration was making every effort to close the gap in job creation. He also mentioned that the solid mineral and agricultural sectors had been given priority.

“I acknowledge that this expansion hasn’t yet resulted in enough jobs for our people, but we are bridging that gap,” he said.

“We are prioritizing two industries that have enormous potential to boost our economy and generate jobs: agriculture and solid minerals.

“In order to make progress more quickly, we have partnered with other nations to import cutting-edge farming equipment, provide training to our farmers, and increase extension services throughout the country.

Our economy is based primarily on agriculture, and in order to increase agricultural productivity, we must adopt technology. Better seed is vitally important.

Improved agricultural practices and a successful agricultural intervention both depend on extension services. And that is what we are about to witness.

In 2024, the industry generated $12.58 billion from mineral title applications and related keys, demonstrating a remarkable improvement, according to the president, who acknowledged the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development’s contribution to the Federation Account.

This indicates that the industry is waking up and is the outcome of thoughtful reforms meant to maximize its potential.

As a people-oriented government, he stated, “restoring hope to the poor, the unemployed, the excluded, and the vulnerable remains our top priority.”

According to Tinubu, Nigeria now produces 1.8 million barrels of oil per day on average. The administration is aiming to reach two million barrels per day by the end of the fiscal year 2025.

He emphasized the importance of safeguarding the interests of both domestic and international businesses, pointing to the recent dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Dangote Refinery.

“Aliko Dangote is an institution and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s economic parliament; he is not an individual,” he stated.

We will be judged by outsiders based on how we treat this gentleman.

He might currently be valued between $70 and $80 billion if he had invested $10 billion in Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.

We owe it to future generations to enviously defend, advance, preserve, and safeguard the interests of this magnificent Nigeria, yet he chose to invest in his nation.

I would like to urge both the organized private sector and labor to exercise caution, reflection, and a stronger sense of patriotism when defining and enhancing the relationship between industry and labor in order to preserve our steadily improving economic fortunes. The goal is not to hold the entire country hostage over a small labor dispute.

“Nigeria is superior to PENGASAN.” Nigeria is more powerful than any of us. It’s not partisanship that brings me to you. As a patriot, I’m coming to you to find answers to our country’s problems.

The current administration has stabilized the macroeconomic climate, the president reaffirmed while listing the accomplishments of his administration’s measures.

“Everyone agrees that our reforms have stabilized our macroeconomic environment, and our economy has grown to $372.8 billion in 2024, up from $309.5 billion in 2023,” he said.

Additionally, from N19.9 trillion in 2023 to N25.2 trillion in 2024, we collected more income overall.

Additionally, it exceeded the N18.32 trillion revenue target as of August, reaching N27.8 trillion.

Our pledge to the country to increase Nigeria’s debt service to revenue ratio from 97% to a sustainable level serves as the foundation for these victories and initiatives.

“I am pleased to report that, in addition to the positive development that this ratio has now dropped to less than 50%, our performance during our first few months in office led Fitch to raise Nigeria’s sovereign rating to B with a stable outlook.

This figure is higher than what local think tanks and multilateral organizations had predicted.

Non-oil revenues rose 411% year over year in the same month, and the tax-to-GDP ratio, which was just 70% a few years ago, is now approaching 13.5%.

“Our debt-to-GDP ratio is currently 38.8%, well below the 60% threshold established by the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the 70% threshold set by the World Bank and ECOWAS.”

In order to work together toward a future in which every Nigerian can prosper, Tinubu urged states to support the Renewed Hope Agenda.

In addition to stabilizing prices and currency, we will industrialize through technology, logistics, and power. We will also humanize our economy.

According to him, “we’ll humanize governance so that every citizen feels respected and served.”

Prior to this, Mr. Olaniyi Yusuf, the Chairman of NESG, stated that the Federal Government has taken brave actions including tax reform, unifying foreign exchange markets, and eliminating fuel subsidies.

However, Yusuf noted that these reforms are weighing heavily on millions of Nigerians.

He disclosed that NESG has created a three-phase plan for economic transformation in its most recent two Macroeconomic Outlook Reports: acceleration, consolidation, and stabilization.

“We may state that the stabilization phase is coming to pass today, even though it is fragile and painful.

Even though stabilization is necessary, our journey cannot end because it is not the destination. If we halt here, we run the risk of undoing the hard-won progress.

In order to assure prosperity for all Nigerians, we must firmly enter the consolidation phase and implement reforms in ways that promote employment, growth, and inclusion while also setting the groundwork for long-term change.

Consolidation must give us direction if stabilization has given us breathing room, transforming a fragile recovery into robust, inclusive growth. We must be purposeful in order to consolidate,” he stated.

Yusuf emphasized further that the government must promote industrialization and business expansion, make investments in infrastructure to boost competitiveness, and release investments.

guarantee financial stability, promote inclusivity, fortify institutions, and tackle security as a catalyst for change.

He stated that in order to move the economy from consolidation to acceleration, “structural transformation is required, human capital is our catalyst, global competitiveness and resilience, and security is the foundation for transformation.”

Nigeria must be governed by industrialization, infrastructure, investments, inclusivity, and institutions as it contemplates both economic consolidation and acceleration, he said.

Retired AVM Dies During British Airways Journey While Battling Terminal Illness

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According to reports, a former Nigerian Air Vice Marshal (AVM) passed away while British Airways’ crew fought to save his life on a flight to Abuja.

The jet transporting the deceased had to make an emergency stop at Barcelona’s El Prat Airport while they worked to revive the sick military officer.

According to reports, the deceased was terminally ill, and the occurrence was confirmed by Mrs. Tutu Otuyalo, the airline’s Regional Commercial Manager for Nigeria & Ghana.

After the incident, the flight, which had left London’s Heathrow Airport at 11 p.m. on Sunday, October 5, was supposed to land in Abuja at 5 a.m. on Monday. However, it took an unplanned detour to Barcelona instead.

Before his unexpected death, however, it was learned that the retired AVM who was terminally ill was being returned to Abuja for more medication.

British Airways had previously expressed regret to the affected customers and said that a fresh plane was scheduled to fly from Barcelona to Abuja yesterday.

In notes distributed to the passengers, the airline expressed regret for the inconvenience and promised that its Customer Care representatives will be on hand to help with any queries or issues.

“Passengers can use the airline’s Live Chat facility for assistance and are encouraged to anticipate receiving an email with more details.

British Airways sent out a general statement to the impacted customers saying, “British Airways acknowledges the inconvenience and thanks passengers for their patience and understanding.”

The New Book on Midlifers and Technology by Azu Ishiekwene

The author, columnist, and journalist Azu Ishiekwene has published a new book titled A Midlifer’s Guide to Content Creation and Profit.

Given the intricate and exciting advancements in generative artificial intelligence (AI), the book’s ten chapters concentrate on how older individuals can engage with and explore the new media landscape profitably.

Ishiekwene, often known as Azu, said in a statement that “it shares insights with midlifers on the possibilities for rewarding their mental exertions handsomely, whether literary, artistic or acoustic talent or the sheer capacity to curate and tell a good story from their experiences using new technologies.”

The book, which is a follow-up to “Writing for Media and Monetising It,” which was released in 2024, is published by Premium Times Books and is regarded as a useful and practical resource for young adults working in the literary and media industries.

African Studies historian and prominent teaching professor in the humanities, Toyin Falola, wrote in the foreword: “The book is a groundbreaking book that challenges the widespread belief, especially among the older generation (Gen X), that aspirations should diminish after the age of 50.”

“It’s another masterpiece from Azu, who is reaching new heights not only in the mastery of new media forms but also in his capacity to share his insights in meaningful ways,” Premier Times Publisher Dapo Olorunyomi remarked.

Azu has also co-authored a scholarly article with Prof. Farooq Kperogi titled “Light in a Digital Black Hole: Exploration of Emergent Artificial Intelligence Journalism in Nigeria” that was published in the Journal of Applied Journalism and Media Studies, delivered multiple lectures, and published a workbook on content monetization as part of his interest in new media.

A Midlifer’s Guide to Content Creation and Profit, his latest book, is available on www.azu.media and other international distribution channels, the statement stated.

‘No Sensible Person Will Support Tinubu’ — Ibrahim Little

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Former African Democratic Congress (ADC) chairman and Kano governorship candidate Ibrahim Ali Amin, often known as Ibrahim Little, has bemoaned the unfavorable advancements Nigerians are enjoying under President Bola Tinubu’s rule.

In an interview with the Daily Post, he criticized the President’s assertion that the APC has improved Nigerians’ quality of life.

In Imo State, he was responding to the President’s comments at a book launch and project commissioning.

The term “change” can be either positive or negative, he explained.

Nigerians today, by which I mean regular Nigerians who are not associated with the APC-led administration or people in authority, will be honest with you.

No sane person will agree with our president’s remarks if they do not receive crumbs from the APC politicians’ table.

“He has just caused Nigerians to suffer more. We have actually gotten worse at whatever issue we had under Buhari.

The ADC leader criticized the APC-led administration for failing to engage with the average Nigerian, according to him.

It should be more about action than words when it comes to governing.

99% of governance is action, and only 1% is talk.

Sadly, he said, “all we see today is talk and no real impact on people’s lives.”

“The President has failed in his primary constitutional duty to protect lives and property,” he said, criticizing Tinubu’s handling of insecurity.

Regarding the country’s security, he asked whether any Nigerian could genuinely claim that things have gotten better.

Bandits, kidnappers, and Boko Haram are killing more people every day. It has become a national catastrophe and is no longer just a northern issue.

Bandits still rule a number of local administrations in Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States, he claims.

“We have observed villages and local governments where the people now pay taxes to bandits rather than the government,” he stated.

He emphasized that protecting the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as ensuring the safety of citizens’ lives and property, are the president’s main responsibilities as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution.

Both obligations, he said, have been disregarded.

“The fact that criminals effectively rule parts of Nigeria has caused a significant setback to the country’s territorial integrity.”

He added that ensuring the welfare and well-being of citizens is the president’s second main responsibility.

Nigerians have become poorer under Tinubu’s leadership, with many finding it difficult to pay for necessities, Little bemoaned.

He also chastised Tinubu for failing to visit attack-affected regions, claiming the president appears more focused on going to social gatherings.

He has never traveled to a region where Boko Haram or banditry has taken hold since taking office. However, he was at a burial in Plateau and a senator’s wedding in Kaduna,” he continued.

Nigeria Records Oil Loss Of 600,000 Barrels Amid PENGASSAN’s Three-Day Strike — Ojulari

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Nigeria lost 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day due to the recent strike by the country’s oil workers, which resulted in a three-day supply disruption of over 600,000 barrels, according to Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

A confrontation with Dangote Refineries’ management over the alleged dismissal of 800 employees prompted the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) to call for its members to go on strike last month.

Regarding the impact of the three-day strike on the oil sector, Ojulari said that the NNPC’s production capacity was significantly impacted by the industrial action.

Nigeria has just attained a 7 billion cubic feet (BCF) of gas, according to the GCEO, who told reporters after meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos and calling the strike action regrettable.

The strike that resulted from the Dangote and PENGASSAN disagreement was regrettable, in my opinion. When there is a strike and crucial personnel are not available to service critical facilities, optimal output is nearly impossible. In this instance, the deferred output actually resulted in a considerable loss of nearly 200,000 barrels per day.

Additionally, he stated, “we have gas production that was postponed and power generation that was impacted by that strike by approximately 1.2 megawatts.”

He did, however, express satisfaction that the federal government’s prompt action, through the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Federal Ministry of Labor, had ended the problem.

“I’m very pleased that the federal government, under the direction of the Minister of Labor and with the full support of the National Security Adviser, was able to bring everyone together for a dialogue and bring them to the table. Now, there has been a communiqué that has been agreed upon on the way forward,” Ojulari continued.

Since then, we have been able to restore output to the previous level, albeit there are still a few areas where we need to catch up. We are all extremely hopeful that everyone will follow the message. In general, we have progressively reverted to the deferment that we currently have and to recover lost productivity,” he continued.

Ojulari added that Nigeria has been able to increase its production of crude oil since last month, stating that in September 2025, 1.68 million barrels of crude oil were produced daily, along with 7 billion cubic feet of gas per day.

“We are progressing well. As you are aware, last month’s oil production of 1.68 mbpd was excellent. It had been roughly five years since the last one. We also achieved the largest gas production in recent history, surpassing 7 billion cubic feet per day, in terms of milestones.

“We also anticipate that by the end of the year, we should be clocking at least 1.8 mbpd, thanks to some turnaround maintenance we completed in August and September, all of which are scheduled to return this month,” the NNPC CEO said.

Although he expressed hope that the price will stabilize soon after the crisis is resolved, he attributed the recent increase in cooking gas prices to the artificial scarcity brought on by the PENGASSAN strike.

The increase you observed was comparatively artificial because, during the strike, loading and movement were delayed for two to three days. As a result, you might observe that some people who had resources in reserves had to pay a price, and it may take some time for distribution to fully resume once things return to normal.

Ojulari continued, “I anticipate that now that prices are normal, they should go back to where they were prior to the strike.”

When asked why he was visiting the president, Ojulari explained that it was a standard visit to inform him of any changes in the oil industry, particularly the assignment he had been given to draw in investors.

It’s a great chance to provide the president an update on NNPC’s progress, especially with regard to production performance and our efforts to draw in investment.

The President gave us a clear directive, as you may remember, to increase gas output and production to at least 2 million barrels per day by 2027 and up to 3 million barrels per day by 2030. So, how are we doing this year and how are we getting ready for next year to make sure we achieve this growth? Accordingly, that was among the changes I provided to the President,” the engineer wrote.

Due to the return of light lines after the PENGASSAN and Dangote incidents, the NNPC has raised the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also referred to as gasoline, at its retail locations once more.

It was discovered that NNPC stations in Abuja, particularly in the Wuse Zone 6 and Zone 4 districts, had raised the price of their pumps from N890 to N905 per liter. This represented a change of N15, or around 1.7%.

The latest price increase, according to Abubakar Maigandi, president of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), is the result of recent supply disruptions brought on by the conflict between PENGASSAN and the Dangote Refinery.

“The disruption caused by PENGASSAN’s strike is the reason,” he stated. Nonetheless, the IPMAN chief stated that “our members are still selling between N885 and N895 per litre.”

Amaka Obi Extends Generosity To Idemili-South Children With Educational Donations, Pledges Continued Support

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The chairman of the Idemili-South Local Government, Dr. (Mrs.) Amaka Obi, has once again reaffirmed her dedication to the educational advancement of the local schoolchildren.

While primary and secondary school students performed ethnic dances, this reaffirmation served as the centerpiece of the 65th Independence Day celebration at the council headquarters in Ojoto.

Obi, who emphasized the ramifications of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s free education policy in the state’s government schools, pointed out that children from lower-income families can now afford education without crying because the governor thinks that children are the state’s and the nation’s best chance for the future.

A few of the schools that Obi supplied were Isu Primary School Oba, Ezike Central School Ahuda Nnobi, Community Central School Nnobi, Community Central School Awka-Etiti, Central School Ojoto-Uno, Community Primary School Ojoto-Uno, Umuene Primary School Ojoto, St. Joseph Seminary School Awka-Etiti, Triumphant Cross Secondary School Oba, St. Cordelia’s Nursery and Primary School Ojoto, and Idemili Primary School Nnokwa.

Although she promised the schools greater generosity, she emphasized that the government cares and that the supplies were provided to the students and schools at no cost because education is a primary focus in her development program.

According to her, her administration has remained dedicated to making sure that the benefits of democracy have reached every household, community, and individual in the Idemili-South Local Government Area. She also stated that her government has worked to improve the lives of the people by delivering health care, empowering youth, developing infrastructure, and providing educational support.

Amaka Obi’s administration has been praised by Dr. Tony Ezika, the emeritus chairman of the Idemili-North and Idemili-South Local Government Areas, who stated that the children adore her and that she is doing well.

Additionally, Amaka Obi’s transformative leadership is having an impact on every part of Idemili-South, particularly in the Nnokwa community, where she is changing lives through education and other economic sectors, according to Hon. Valentine Mbadiugha, the councilor representing Nnokwa ward and deputy leader of the Idemili-South Legislative Council.

The director of information at St. Joseph Seminary School Awka-Etiti Rev. Fr. Aloysius Okoye also praised Amaka Obi’s work, pointing out that she has done a lot to guarantee that high-quality education continues to be the standard in all of the schools in the Idemili-South Local Government Area.

According to Mrs. Ifeyinwa Agu, a teacher at Central School Nnokwa, Amaka Obi has significantly changed the way Idemili-South is governed and has ensured grassroots development through youth empowerment programs. She is also commended for giving schoolchildren in the council area free educational materials, highlighting how her administration has elevated Idemili-South to a global level.

Both Miss Chidiebube Ike and Master Chibuike Divine of Central School Nnokwa, who sang renditions in Igbo, stated that they adore Amaka Obi because she excels at caring for children and that her devotion to Idemili-South children cannot be overstated.