The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has ordered the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to sell crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries in naira.
The Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zack Adedeji, disclosed this to State House correspondents after the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu on Monday in Abuja.
He said the measure would reduce the strain on the country’s foreign spendings and stabilise the pump price of petrol, diesel and other products in Nigeria.
Adedeji said FEC ordered the NNPC to immediately begin the full implementation of the directive to boost local production of refined petroleum products in Nigeria.
The FIRS boss added that Tinubu administration ordered that the sale of refined products from Dangote Refinery to oil marketers and distributors be denominated in naira and not in the United States dollars.
By: Babajide Okeowo
The post FEC orders NNPC to sell crude to Dangote, other refineries in naira appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
FEC orders NNPC to sell crude to Dangote, other refineries in naira
Chief Philip Agbese distributes fertilizers to ADO farmers
In an effort to increase agricultural output in the state of Benue State, I had the honour of supervising the orderly and peaceful distribution of a trailer load of 50 kg NPK fertilizer to a few farmers in the Ado local government area on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Enough fertilizer is being distributed to a thousand carefully chosen farmers throughout the ten council wards of the Ado local government area. The fertilizer was sourced by the respected Hon. Chief Dr. Philip Agbese, a member of the Federal House of Representatives for the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency.
The Distribution Committee is carefully adhering to a pattern that would guarantee the fair distribution of the fertilizers to legitimate farmers in the various villages in the wards laid up by Chief Agbese.
Following the Okpokwu debacle, in which political vandals and opponents of progress attacked the Constituency office of the Enone Chief Servant and Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives in an attempt to score cheap political points, and looted the consignment intended for farmers in the area, the fertilizer distribution to Ado farmers has been successful.
The contractor is processing the cargo for the farmers in Ogbadibo local government area, and it would be delivered eventually, while the distribution in Ado goes well.
Many thanks to the Enone Congressman for putting aside party politics and entrusting me, an outsider of the APC, with the enormous duty of supervising fertilizer distribution in his local government district.
I’m happy we were able to provide. I would like to express my gratitude to each and every ward coordinator, as well as to Hon. Alegwu Adadu and Hon. Josiah Owobi, who were there from the start to the finish, for their invaluable support.
Although there shouldn’t be any issues, please get in touch with me or the ward coordinator if you have any concerns regarding the allocation in any ward.
Nsukka market demolition: Edeoga knocks Enugu Govt, makes four demands
The Enugu State Government has again come under heavy criticism over the recent demolition of shops and other facilities at the Ogige Market, Nsukka.
TVN recall that the state government had in June 2024, conducted the demolition of several facilities including shops and properties belonging to Ifesinachi Transport Limited in Ogige market.
The facilities were demolished amid widespread outrage by owners of the properties and some stakeholders, including federal lawmakers from the state.
Speaking on the matter on Monday, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 election, Chijioke Edeoga, lambasted the state government for allegedly ignoring the pains of the traders.
According to him, the action of the state government led by Governor Peter Mbah was unconstitutional, lamenting that the demolitions have “occasioned monumental harm on several households” in the state.
Addressing journalists at the Labour Party National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday, Edeoga demanded that “relief markets be expeditiously provided at strategic points in parts of the state for the immediate use of the displaced traders”.
The former gubernatorial candidate further advised that persons and institutions like Ifesinachi Transport Ltd, Peace Mass Transit, and others whose establishments were “destroyed in evident error should be restituted”.
He noted that “it is important for just and reasonable compensations to be paid to those whose shops, chattels, and other valuables were destroyed”.
“Mr. Peter Mbah should make a public broadcast to the people of Enugu State asking for forgiveness and appeal for healing for the pains caused by his peremptory and excessive use of the power of the office of the governor of Enugu State,” Edeoga added.
Nsukka market demolition: Edeoga knocks Enugu Govt, makes four demands
NYSC suspends biometric clearance, CDS over planned protest
The National Youth Service Corps has suspended the biometric clearance and the weekly Community Development Services for corps members nationwide.
The corps noted that this was necessary in view of the planned protest billed to hold between August 1-10, 2024.
This was disclosed in a memo sent to State Coordinators, Local Government Inspectors and Zonal Inspectors across the country.
It read, “In furtherance to our earlier memo reminding corps members of the scheme’s policy prohibiting participation in any form of protest, all corps members are informed that biometric clearance and CDS activities are suspended with immediate effect. The date for the presumption of these activities will be communicated in due course.
“Due to this postponement of all NYSC activities, all corps members are directed not to wear their uniforms for any reason this week.”
Details later…
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Akwa Ibom promises inclusion of TB care in 2025 budget
The Head of Budget, Budget Office of Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr Otu Asuquo, has promised to ensure the inclusion of Tuberculosis (TB) as a-stand-alone item in the state’s 2025 budget.
Asuquo gave the assurance when a civil society organisation, Policy Alert, paid him an advocacy visit for implementation of the TB project, initiated in partnership with Palladium Group and supported by the United States Agency for International Development, USAID.
He said his office, which he described as a collation centre in the budgeting process, would ensure the input of TB so that the disease can be effectively managed and tackled by the state government.
Asuquo said, “You came at the right time because we are about starting the process of preparation of 2025 budget. By next week, we’ill start the engagement with the MDAs ofcourse we are like a collation centre, I’ve taken note of this, if they didn’t make such provisions I’ll definitely remind them, so I want to assure you that there’s going to be a line budget for TB.”
Earlier, the Programme Officer and Project Lead of Policy Alert, Edidiong Dickson, observed that TB is not getting required funding and priority despite the fact that it is a leading cause of death after COVID-19.
He regretted that the burden of funding the care and medications as well as the infrastructure for TB lies mostly on donors, adding that domestic resources for it accounts for a paltry six percent.
He said such commitment from government was too minimal and unsustainable, and appealed to local actors or government to commit more resources to the fight against TB in Akwa Ibom.
He added that the essence of the call for state ownership and funding of TB by giving it a budget line was for a holistic fight against the disease, incase the international donors withdraw their support.
“The burden of funding Tuberculosis lies mostly on donors. Domestic resources for this account for just 6 percent which is not sustainable, so a change in government may lead to a change in focus, the US government may wish to withdraw their support, so for us to prepare for that dooms day, we have to encourage our local actors, our government to begin to commit more resources to the fight against TB,” he said.
Akwa Ibom promises inclusion of TB care in 2025 budget
Police doubt N1bn ransom demand for kidnapped Sokoto chief, son
The Sokoto State Police Command has labelled as unconfirmed a N1 billion ransom allegedly demanded by kidnappers of a district head in Sokoto State, Isa Bawa, and his son (name undisclosed).
Bawa, the district head of Gatawa, and his son were abducted by unknown gunmen at Kwanan Maharba while they were returning from Sokoto last Saturday, Daily Trust reports.
When contacted on Monday, the command’s spokesman, Ahmad Rufai, told our correspondent in a telephone interview that the police were unaware of the ransom demand.
However, he confirmed that Bawa and his son were abducted.
“I can only confirm the abduction of the district head and his son, but on the issue of ransom, the victims’ families don’t share ransom talks with the police. They always conceal it within themselves.
“As I speak, we don’t have any official report on the issue of ransom but the kidnapping is confirmed. We are making efforts to ensure to rescue him alongside his son,” Rufai said.
In its reports, Daily Trust had stated that kidnappers reportedly demanded N1bn for the release of Bawa and two other relatives.
It stated that according to a reliable source, the kidnappers told the Secretary of the Sarkin Gobir Sabon Birni and demanded the N1bn ransom.
“But negotiation is ongoing because there is no way such amount can be raised,” the source told Daily Trust.
More so, the Sole Administrator of Sabon Birni Local Government, Garba Kaba, said, “All I know is that the abductors called and said the district heads, his son and brother are with them and safe.”
The abduction was also confirmed by the lawmaker representing Sabon Birni South, Aminu Boza.
In March 2024, the command confirmed the abduction of 15 Islamic education pupils and a woman in Gidan Bakuso, a village in the Gada LG of the state.
Rufa’i confirmed the abduction to the News Agency of Nigeria in Sokoto, adding that the invaders took advantage of the village’s remote location to perpetrate their evil acts.
EPL: Man Utd to build 100,000-seater stadium
Manchester United are planning to build a 100,000-capacity stadium in the next six years, ESPN reports.
A final decision on whether the club will build a new stadium or redevelop Old Trafford will be taken before the end of the year.
The project will cost over £2 billion and should be completed by 2030.
United co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, had previously said he would prefer to build a new stadium on the site of the existing stadium.
This would mean potentially using land behind the Stretford End for the expansion.
Officials from United have looked at similar projects across the world, but particularly from SoFi Stadium and the surrounding regeneration project near Los Angeles.
EPL: Man Utd to build 100,000-seater stadium
Burna Boy to release seventh studio album at midnight
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has hinted at the release of a new album.
The “Twice As Tall” crooner disclosed this in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday.
He wrote: “Album dropping 12AM.”
According to the Afrobeat superstar, the new album will be dropping on July 30.
The announcement came after his recent celebration of the fifth anniversary of his Grammy-nominated 2019 album “African Giant”, which he marked with a concert at the Kolo Camden, United Kingdom.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the multiple award-winning artiste has continued to make headlines for being at the forefront of exporting Nigerian music with his award-winning albums and historic sold-out concerts
In 2019, he won the Best International Act at the BET Awards and was named an Apple Music Up Next artist.
He also released his fourth studio album, African Giant, which went on to win Album of the Year at the All Africa Music Awards.
The album was nominated for Best World Music Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards and he clinched the African Artist of the Year at the 2020 Ghana Music Awards.
Burna Boy released his fifth studio album, ‘Twice as Tall’, in August 2020, which fetched him the Best World Music Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.
His sixth studio album Love Damini was released in 2022 and became the highest debut of a Nigerian album on the Billboard 200 chart.
Love Damini also became the highest-charting African album in France, the Netherlands and the UK.
In October of the same year, Burna Boy was awarded the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic plaque for his achievements in music.
In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked him number 197 on its list of the 200 greatest singers of all time and he won his fourth Best International Act at the BET Awards in 2023, among others.
He made history again when his 7th album, ‘I Told Them’ released in October 2023, earned him nominations for the 2024 Grammys, which became his fourth consecutive album to be nominated for the Grammys.
NAN
Tinubu orders NNPC to sell crude to Dangote Refinery in Naira
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to sell crude to Dangote Refinery and other upcoming refineries in Naira.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, made this known in a post via his official X handle on Monday.
Onanuga stated that the move, which is to ensure the stability of the pump price of refined fuel and the dollar-Naira exchange rate, was adopted by the Federal Executive Council today.
According Online reports that Dangote Refinery, at the moment, requires 15 cargoes of crude, at a cost of $13.5 billion yearly. NNPC has committed to supply four.
However, the FEC has approved that the 450,000 barrels meant for domestic consumption be offered in Naira to Nigerian refineries, using the Dangote refinery as a pilot.
The statement added, “The exchange rate will be fixed for the duration of this transaction.
“Afreximbank and other settlement banks in Nigeria will facilitate the trade between Dangote and NNPC Limited. The game-changing intervention will eliminate the need for international letters of credit, further saving the country of dollar payments.”
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Plateau youth leaders coalition withdraws from planned nationwide protest
Ahead of the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, the Plateau Communities Youth Leaders Coalition has said it would not take part in the exercise.
The group spoke through its spokesman, Pololis Gyang, at a press briefing in Jos, Plateau State capital.
Gyang said, “We in Plateau State wish to unequivocally dissociate ourselves from the anticipated protest due to the ambiguous and unclear circumstances surrounding it.
“As responsible youth leaders within our respective communities, we are deeply committed to the welfare and well-being of our people. We pursue these objectives with a foundation of equity and reciprocity, aiming for the peace and development of our communities.
“We recognize the devastating impact of the current hardship, pain, and distress our people are enduring. Many have lost their sources of livelihood, and some cannot even provide for themselves and their families.
“We empathize with the yearnings and aspirations of our dear people and express our unwavering commitment to finding constructive ways to alleviate their suffering and improve their living conditions.
“We cannot feign ignorance or indifference to the motives behind those calling for the nationwide protest. We acknowledge the widespread hunger, hardship, and uncertainty regarding the state of our economy.
“However, the suspicious manner in which the protest is being orchestrated raises significant concerns.
“We believe that the right to protest is fundamental and inalienable, particularly in seeking better living conditions for our people. Nonetheless, we remain unconvinced by the motives of the organizers”, he maintained.
“It is impossible for a protest of the proposed scale to be devoid of sponsors, just as it is inconceivable to have smoke without fire. Why have the sponsors of this protest remained hidden and unknown, and why have they failed to clearly articulate the motives behind the protest? These are pressing questions that demand answers.
“As youth leaders in Plateau State, we have witnessed numerous tensions leading to the loss of lives and properties, arising from protests such as ENDSARS and others. Sadly, we continue to live with the devastating effects of such protests to this day”, he decried.
“Moreover, we are aware of the ongoing recruitment of touts, cultists, students, and individuals of questionable character within our communities. We question why the shadow mobilizers for the protest are resorting to such measures if not to foment trouble and cause mayhem”, he further stated.
“We also urge our people to protect their communities from elements seeking to cause pandemonium to further their hidden agendas, which are contrary to the peace and stability of our dear state.
“As a constructive approach to addressing the debilitating economic situation in the country, we are ready and determined to engage the government at all levels in finding lasting solutions to our problems.
“Through constructive dialogue, we are confident that we will achieve our desired goals. We are willing to meet with the government to make recommendations aimed at tackling the economic crisis in the country.
“We choose not to participate in protests that may plunge our state into anarchy, chaos, and untold hardship. We are acutely aware of the repercussions of previous protests that led to the destruction of businesses and the livelihoods of individuals in the state.”
Plateau youth leaders coalition withdraws from planned nationwide protest