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Stop breaking women’s hearts, FCT PPRO warns men

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Police ban Shi'ite procession in Abuja, vow to arrest violators

The spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh, has called out men for the increasing spate of heartbreaks they are causing women.

In a post on X, the PPRO, who took on the unexpected role of a relationship advisor, expressed dismay at the increasing number of men who led women on, only to later disappoint them. She stated that her office had been inundated with calls from heartbroken women sharing their painful experiences.

She wrote, “It’s distasteful to lead a woman on, then break her heart. The rate at which men are doing this is saddening. Most of the calls I receive these days are from women sharing their experiences in tears.

“Men, please, don’t start a relationship if you don’t want anything serious.”

Her post expectedly went viral, attracting numerous comments, likes and shares.

@austinNotJayJay wrote, “We do tell them our intentions. They usually start with seriousness.”

@kinsgley_ukoma wrote, “Police turn to relationship coach. Or, are you looking for engagement?”

@BigSam442275721 also added, “Most women nowadays just want to reap where they didn’t sow. Imagine! All of them want to marry Davido, Kidwaya, Seyi Tinubu, Wizkid, etc. Most of these rich men’s mothers married their husbands when these men had nothing.”

The Delta State PPRO,  Bright Edafe (@Brightgoldenboy) also remarked, “I feel women get into relationships with too much expectation. Most women are not ready to invest in men. And secondly, if you are in a relationship with a Yahoo boy, forget it, you are single. Meanwhile, you know I can’t break your heart sha.”

Abiodun inspired by Brazil legend Marta

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Abiodun inspired by Brazil legend Marta

Super Falcons midfielder Deborah Abiodun is basking in the euphoria of having a one-on-one with Brazil legend Marta Vieira da Silva after Nigeria’s 1-0 defeat against Brazil in the 2024 Olympics Women’s Football Tournament Group C opener in Bordeaux on Thursday, According Sports Extra reports.

Gabriela Nunes Da Silva’s first-half strike, moments after Marta was denied by the offside flag, was the difference for Brazil in the contest.

Despite the Super Falcons defeat, the 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh player was hailed for her standout performance, and she had more proud moments on the pitch with the 38-year-old.

“A moment to remember! Last night (Thursday), I had the honour of chatting with Marta Vieira, whose legacy has inspired generations. Sharing wisdom, experiences, and smiles with such an icon is truly unforgettable. Here’s to chasing dreams and making history,” Abiodun posted via X on Friday.

Abiodun broke out at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand when she delivered a stunning performance on her debut and Nigeria’s first game against Olympic champions Canada.

She got a late straight red card in that game, which prevented her from featuring again as Nigeria crashed out in the round of 16.

Since then, she has been a mainstay in the Falcons midfield and was instrumental during the Paris Olympics qualifying series, helping the team reach the women’s football tournament for the first time since 2008.

She will be looking to replicate her strong performance and secure a positive outcome when the Super Falcons face defending World Champions Spain in their next group match on
Sunday.

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Arsenal make Osimhen contact

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Osimhen prefers Arsenal, Chelsea to PSG move

Arsenal have reportedly made contact with Napoli star Victor Osimhen, as the Premier League giants intensify their search for a prolific frontman this summer, According Sports Extra reports.

The Nigeria international has been in scintillating form since joining the Italian side from Lille in 2020, netting 76 times in all competitions.

His goal-scoring prowess has not gone unnoticed, with several Premier League heavyweights keeping tabs on the 25-year-old striker who has also garnered attention from Real Madrid and French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Mikel Arteta’s side are not believed to be leading the race for his signature despite already touching base over a transfer. That’s after Gianluca Di Marzio told bettingexpert.com (via The Mirror) that no solid negotiations have taken place as of yet.

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly made Osimhen one of their top targets this summer, as they look to fill the void left by Kylian Mbappe following his move to Real Madrid.

The Ligue 1 giants could be the only European club capable of luring him away from Napoli, although they are reluctant to meet his £112m release clause.

Despite heavy links with the player in recent years, Chelsea appear to be out of the running for Osimhen after showing little interest of late. It’s believed that Enzo Maresca prefers Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion, but Alvaro Morata’s move to AC Milan has complicated that storyline.

Arsenal’s pursuit of Osimhen could intensify following comments made by Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho, who compared the Napoli striker to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.

“He is of the same level as Drogba, but Didier didn’t dive. If Victor changes, then OK. I’d buy him if I was at a club with a lot of money,” Mourinho said.

With Chelsea stepping back and Manchester United having secured Dutch talent Joshua Zirkzee for £36.5m, there is room for the Gunners to make a run at Osimhen.

Should Arsenal fail to land Osimhen, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak are seen as potential alternatives.

However, both players come with hefty price tags, with Gyokeres having an £84m release clause and Isak valued at £100m.

Why banks’ profits rise amid forex crisis — Economists

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Why banks’ profits rise amid forex crisis — Economists

As the Central Bank continues to initiate various economic policies to reduce the volatility plaguing the exchange rate market, economists have explained why commercial banks in Nigeria appear to be making profits while manufacturers count losses amid the prevailing forex crisis.

Against the backdrop of foreign exchange revaluation gains arising from the depreciation of the naira, the profits before tax of nine commercial banks in the country rose sharply by 156.4 per cent to N2.3tn in just nine months of 2023.

According to the financial reports of the nine banks released by the Nigerian Exchange Limited last year, about 63.6 per cent amounting to N1.457tn of the profit came from foreign exchange-related transactions.

In the corresponding period of 2022, the banks made just N225.416bn, indicating a forex profit growth rate of 546.5 per cent.

Meanwhile, eight manufacturers, including Dangote, BUA, and Lafarge, saw their foreign exchange-related losses rise to N627.7bn in the first quarter of this year, according to the financial statements of the firms published by the Nigerian Exchange Limited in May.

The Nigerian government, however, recently introduced a windfall tax on the commercial banks’ foreign currency revaluation gains, hoping to use the proceeds to part-finance its spending plans.

In a letter recently sent to the Senate, President Bola Tinubu asked the Red Chamber to back legislation that will tax the bumper income derived by banks last year from the revaluation of their foreign currency-denominated assets.

As the windfall tax continues to generate reactions from the banking community, economists have explained why the banks appear to be recording increased profits amid the forex crisis that is causing significant losses for manufacturers.

Speaking to Saturday According, Prof Taiwo Owoeye of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, said the recent windfall tax by the Federal Government was informed by the obvious profits commercial banks are making on the foreign currencies deposited in their forex accounts, which is caused by the consistent depreciation of the naira against the dollar.

He explained, “Banks earn extra money through forex tax. What that simply means is that if banks have some income in their dollar-denominated accounts and the exchange rate depreciates, they can make more money from it. And that is what the government is trying to discourage. But for manufacturing firms, if they produce and the naira depreciates, they make losses. That is why banks are making more money now than the manufacturers. So what the government is trying to do is to tax those advantages of the banks.

In his contribution, Prof Sheriffdeen Tella, a Professor of Monetary Economics at Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State, said the government needs to exercise caution in its efforts to raise revenue through taxes.

He emphasised that the government should not try to tax the profits being recorded by commercial banks, as these financial companies are already paying their income taxes into government coffers.

Tella said, “The banks pay their normal income tax. If the windfall gain is part of the payable taxes, that will be understandable, but if the government is just inventing it, it will discourage the banks from going into some businesses that can give them extra money. So it is not good for the government to just wake up and decide to tax this anyhow.

“Come to think of it, if the banks are making gains, is it not part of their normal business? And if the government is getting profit taxes from them, that should have taken care of this new extra tax. So, I don’t think the government should just be taxing anyhow.

“If it is not a constitutional tax, I don’t see any need for the government to introduce it. They just want to discourage the banks from making profits. So the government should be careful with the way it taxes things, so as not to be creating problems for local investment and the expansion of businesses.”

We’re open to dialogue, says Sanwo-Olu

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Lagos commercial drivers accuse task force of harassment, extortion

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged citizens planning nationwide protests to exercise caution while expressing their grievances.

The governor also emphasised that the state government is open to dialogue and peaceful resolution of issues, in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, on Friday.

Governor Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the constitutional rights of citizens to voice their concerns about the socio-economic situation in the country but cautioned against actions and utterances that could endanger public safety and peace.

He noted that some individuals issuing threats might have ulterior motives aimed at disrupting law and order.

Speaking during a courtesy visit from members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets and Special Duties, led by the Chairman, Ademorin Kuye, Sanwo-Olu reiterated the importance of constructive dialogue.

He lauded President Bola Tinubu-led administration for its commitment to addressing citizens’ grievances through dialogue, emphasising the need for continuous engagement for the sake of national stability and the strengthening of democratic governance.

He said, “We are at a point in the country where there have been agitations and plans for nationwide protests. It is crucial to recognize the constitutional rights of citizens to express sincere concerns. As leaders, we must appreciate these concerns but also ensure that protests do not become a platform for advancing political agendas. Divisive rhetoric and actions should be avoided.

“The current administration, which has been in office for less than 15 months, is dedicated to transforming the country’s economic fortunes. The government is actively engaging with citizens to address their grievances and demonstrate its commitment to listening. It’s essential that all grievances are brought to the table for resolution. This openness to dialogue is a testament to the government’s sincerity in addressing issues as they arise.”

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Behold Nollywood’s queens of YouTube

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Behold Nollywood’s queens of YouTube

Video sharing platform, YouTube, is now a veritable way for actors and filmmakers to share their movies with fans. With this avenue, the filmmakers bypass conventional marketers and take their movies straight to the audience, while getting paid by the platform. In this first part of a series, TOFARATI IGE takes a look at female Nollywood actresses and filmmakers who have the highest number of subscribers and viewers on the web-based platform

Ruth Kadiri

Actress and filmmaker, Ruth Kadiri, is one of the Nollywood personalities doing amazingly well on YouTube. Her channel (RuthKadiri247) has 2.41 million subscribers and 94 videos.

Within hours, her contents attract hundreds of thousands of views, and in weeks, the viewership runs into millions.

As of the time of filing this report, her last video titled, ‘The Trenches Kid’, was uploaded five hours ago, and it had racked up 186,000 views.

A movie titled, ‘Married to Myself’, which stars Chidi Dike, Francess Nwabunike and Stefania Bassey, was uploaded on July 18, 2024, and as of July 25, it had garnered two million views.

Another movie titled, ‘Forever Yours’, which features veteran actor, Pat Attah; and Emem Inwang, was uploaded on July 11, 2024, and as of July 25, it had been viewed 1.4 million times.

Yet another movie titled, ‘After School’, was posted on May 30, 2024; and by July 25, it had been watched by 7.9 million people.

A film titled, ‘Better Half’ was uploaded on July 13, 2023, and as of July 25, 2024, it had been watched by over 20 million people.

Her oldest film on the channel is titled, ‘Mad Wife’. It was posted on January 21, 2022, and as of July 25, 2024, it had attracted 4.4 million views.

Saturday Beats gathered that as a result of her popularity on YouTube, she is the toast of many actors, who want to feature in her movies.

She is also credited with helping many young and relatively unknown actors get popular as she usually features them in her movies.

Omoni Oboli

Actress and filmmaker, Omoni Oboli, is fondly called the ‘box office queen’ by her admirers. But, she is apparently not satisfied with that. With her recent moves, it is not far-fetched to also call her a YouTube queen.

Her YouTube channel (OmoniOboliTV) has 431,000 subscribers and 271 videos.

In an introduction video on the channel, she said, “Hi. My name is Omoni Oboli, actor, filmmaker and owner, of Omoni Oboli TV. As a filmmaker, I have produced and directed several movies for the cinema and different streaming giants. But, I’m here now on YouTube because I know that we have a massive global audience here. So, I am here with premium Nigerian movies for your entertainment. So, every week, we release a new movie. Sit back, relax and enjoy our movies. And, while you’re at it, please like, comment and make sure that you are subscribed to our channel, so you never miss a movie, Make sure you click the notification bell, so every time we have a new movie, you will be notified. I cannot wait to have you in my community.”

The latest movie on the channel is titled, ‘Love and Legacy’, and it was posted on July 18, 2024. As of July 25, it had been viewed 654,000 times.

The actress also regularly engages with her subscribers and viewers, as she replies to many of the comments on the page.

Another movie titled, ‘Trouble Next Door’, was uploaded on July 4, 2024. The film which stars John Ekanem, Detola Jones, Tony Mezie and Amanda Iriekpen, among others, has been watched 1.2 million times.

Though she started posting videos on the channel about seven months ago, Oboli is fast making up for lost time.

Her oldest movie on the platform is titled, ‘The One Who Stole my Heart’, and it was posted on December 16, 2023. It currently has 147,000 views.

Another movie titled, ‘Unfaithfuls’ was posted on May 25, 2024, and it has garnered 1.7 million views.

Yet another movie titled, ‘Cold as Ice’, has been watched 2.4 million times. It was posted on April 12, 2024.

Uduak Isong-Oguamanam

Many successful filmmakers just have name recognition; their faces are not easily recognisable.

However, Uduak Isong-Oguamanam does not belong to that class of silver screen practitioners. Her name rings a bell, and her face will also not go unnoticed by many people.

She started her career many years ago, and she has made popular movies such as ‘Okon Lagos’ (2011), ‘Okon Goes to School’ (2013), ‘Desperate Housegirls’ (2015), and ‘Lost in London’ (2017).

Unlike some of her peers though, she is not missing out on the digital revolution as she is one of the people with a large viewer base on YouTube.

Her YouTube channel (Uduak Isong TV) has 536,000 subscribers and 106 videos.

In the latest video she posted on the channel, she thanked the viewers, both old and new. She said, “Hi, guys. How are you doing? I hope everybody is keeping well. This is just a short video to thank all of you who have followed the channel for these many years; and even the newcomers. Some people send us money, and that is incredible. We appreciate your support, and don’t take it for granted.”

She also intimated to her subscribers and viewers that she had released a lot of movies this year (2024); even as she informed them that she and her crew would be taking a rest to recharge, and later release other films.

The latest movie on the channel is titled, ‘Karate Hearts’, which was posted on July 10, 2024, and it has been watched by 291,000 people.

Another film titled, ‘Together in Love’, stars Bimbo Ademoye and Jeffrey Nortey. It was uploaded on May 29, 2024, and it has garnered 721,000 videos.

A love-themed movie titled, ‘A Perfect Proposal’ was posted on April 17, 2024. The film which stars Majid Michel and Ekamma Iyang has been viewed by 2,400,000 people.

The oldest video on the channel was posted on February 23, 2013, and it contains a recording of an interview by Isong-Oguamanam. However, the oldest movie on the channel is a comedy web series titled, ‘Malachi and Friends’. It was posted on March 28, 2018.

Mercy Johnson

One of the most popular actresses of her generation, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, is not a newcomer in the industry.

She gained popularity with movies such as ‘Dumebi the Dirty Girl’, ‘Baby Oku in America’, ‘Hustlers’ and ‘War in the Palace’.

Over the years, she has also evolved into being a YouTube queen. Her YouTube channel (MercyJohnsonOkojieTV) has 379,000 subscribers and 38 videos.

The latest video on the channel is the movie, ‘Sabina and Koko’. Posted on July 18, 2024, it has racked up 621,000 views.

Another movie on the channel titled, ‘Crazy Big Sis’ stars Mercy Johnson, Michael Godson and Chinyere Wilfred. Posted on March 29, 2024, it has attracted 1,100,000 views.

Yet another movie titled, ‘Double Door’ was posted on March 21, 2024, and it has been watched 2,500,000 times.

The oldest movie on the channel is titled, ‘The Birthday’. Posted on September 8, 2023, it has been viewed 2,800,000 times.

Uche Nancy

Uche Nancy is definitely not a pushover when it comes to YouTube. Her channel (Uche Nancy TV) has 1,200,000 subscribers.

Nancy, who is a costumier and filmmaker, has 1,600 videos on the channel.

The latest movie on the channel is titled, ‘A Man’s Nightmare’, and it was published on July 21, 2024. It has been viewed 368,000 times.

Another movie titled, ‘Daddy and Me’ was posted on June 30, 2024, and it has been watched 1,100,000 times.

Yet another movie on the channel titled, ‘Love or Money’ was posted on May 19, 2024, and it has amassed 4,600,000 views.

The movie, ‘Boss Baby in Love’ was posted on April 3, 2024, and it has 3,100,100 views.

Having got on the YouTube train quite early, the oldest movie on her channel is titled, ‘The Neighbour’, and it was posted on April 27, 2016. It has notched up 535,000 views.

Bimbo Ademoye

Award-winning actress, Bimbo Ademoye, needs no introduction. Movies she has featured in have been successful on different platforms, including cinemas and digital streaming platforms.

Beyond those avenues, she is also a YouTube queen. Her channel (Bimbo Ademoye TV) has 602,000 subscribers. She posts skits and movies alike on the platform.

The latest movie on the channel is titled, ‘Shinning Star’. Posted on June 14, 2024, it has been viewed 2,500,000 times.

Another movie titled, ‘Unexpected Places’, which stars Ademoye and Timini Egbuson, was posted on May 3, 2024, and it has been watched a whopping 9,700,000 times.

The oldest videos posted on the channel are different episodes of the skit, ‘Teropi Secxxion’, which were uploaded in 2022.

Some of the actress’ skits on the channel are ‘Teropi Secxxion’, ‘Sibe’ and ‘Chronicles of a Lagos Girl’.

Destiny Etiko

Actress, Destiny Etiko, is well known in Nollywood, especially the Asaba axis of the vibrant industry.

However, she has shown that she has no intention of being limited to a geographical space to exhibit her craft. She is currently taking advantage of YouTube to reach a vast audience unhindered by borders.

Her YouTube channel (DestinyEtiko TV) has 585,000 subscribers and 406 videos.

The latest movie on the channel is titled, ‘Church Business’. Starring Etiko, controversial cross dresser, James Brown; and Ekene Umenwa, it was posted on May 27, 2024, and it has attracted 941,000 views.

Another film titled, ‘Brave Heart’, which stars veteran actors, Gentle Jack; and Zubby Michael, was posted on May 20, 2024, and has been watched 1,600,000 times.

The oldest movie on the channel is titled, ‘Drama Doll’, and it was posted on November 26, 2020. As of the time of filing this report, it had 11,000 views.

Lizzy Gold

Actress and filmmaker, Lizzy Gold’s name might not ring a bell as loud as some of the other actresses on this list. However, she is gradually and steadily building her YouTube presence, thus affording her the opportunity of projecting her work to a larger audience.

Her channel (LizzyGold TV) currently has 275,000 subscribers and an engaging comments section.

The latest movie on the page is titled, ‘Ghost in a Mansion’. Posted on July 24, 2024, and has been viewed 161,000 times.

Another movie titled, ‘When She Cries’, was posted on April 25, 2024, and it has been viewed 1,800,000 times.

The oldest movie on the platform is titled, ‘Moving Train’, which was posted on June 15, 2024, and has been watched 602,000 times.

Need for improvement

Since the video platform is giving filmmakers an avenue to showcase their movies and make money, many have argued that quality should not be sacrificed.

Some fans have called out some filmmakers for the shoddy presentation of their movies, and viewers have called for the use of good cameras, interesting storylines, capable cast and crew, and accurate subtitles, among many other demands.

‘Superstory’ returns with ‘The Curse’

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‘Superstory’ returns with ‘The Curse’

Wale Adenuga Productions, the multiple-award-winning producer of popular TV shows such as, ‘Superstory’, ‘Papa Ajasco and Company’, and ‘Akpan and Oduma’, has announced that a new season of ‘Superstory’, titled, ‘The Curse’, will start airing on August 8, 2024. The star-studded cast of the new season includes Mr Macaroni, Segun Arinze, Dele Odule, Yetunde Barnabas,

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Why I mix afropop, jazz music — Daddy Jiggy

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Why I mix afropop, jazz music — Daddy Jiggy

A budding singer, Ayobami Akinjero, aka Daddy Jiggy, has shared insights on the innovative blend of afro and jazz sounds that define his unique musical style, which he has coined, ‘afro-pop jazz’.

In a statement sent to Saturday Beats, he said, “My self-styled genre, afro-pop jazz, is a combination of two music genres— afro-pop and jazz. This unique blend highlights my rich cultural heritage and musical creativity, as well as sets me apart in a crowded industry.”

The artiste who recently released a new song titled, ‘Good Life’, stated that the new song showcases his signature style. He said, “My music is a fusion of live performances of acoustic and electric instruments, as well as modern African electronic music. It features programmed strong rhythm sections with sampled drums and percussion instruments such as konga, gangan (talking drums), udu, djembe, shakers; and a variety of African, Brazilian, and Caribbean mallets.”

Discussing his music inspiration, he said, “I admire legends such as Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Sade Adu and Akon; as well as contemporary afrobeats artistes from Nigeria and Ghana.”

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Celebs attend premiere of ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’

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Celebs attend premiere of ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’

The Filmhouse Cinema IMAX Lekki, Lagos, was agog on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, when the superhero film, ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’, was premiered. Attended by guests who were gorgeously dressed, the tone of the event was set right from the gate of the premises. The walls were adorned with different banners and props depicting the major

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FG’ll spend N900bn on CNG vehicle conversion in three years – Report

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FG’ll spend N900bn on CNG vehicle conversion in three years – Report

The Federal Government may spend N900bn on vehicle conversion under the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative over the next three years, investigation by Saturday According has shown.

The P-CNGi’s Programme Execution Coordinator, Folarin Oworu, announced recently at a rally held at the Mando Inter State Terminal, Kaduna that the initiative targets 250,000 vehicle conversions per year starting in 2025.

The kits and conversion costs are valued at N1.2m per vehicle, amounting to a total of N900bn to convert approximately 750,000 petrol or diesel-powered vehicles to run on Compressed Natural Gas between 2025 and 2027.

Already, for this year, the Federal Government will spend an average of N36bn to convert 30,000 vehicles to run on CNG in the next 90 days.

The move aims to ensure the adoption of CNG as an alternative fuel for transportation in the country.

The Project Director and Chief Executive Officer of P-CNGi, Michael Oluwagbemi, stated this during the Park to Park CNG Mobilisation programme at Ojota Park in Lagos last week.

Oluwagbemi said President Bola Tinubu was taking steps to ensure transport workers used CNG to replace high-priced petrol and diesel, believing this would reduce the cost of transportation and, by extension, the rising cost of food items.

The P-CNGi boss said the President was interested in distributing one million CNG kits to commercial drivers across Nigeria as palliatives.

“Today, we are here with conversion kits. We have bought over 30,000 of these kits, mainly for distribution in the next 90 days. This will ensure that commercial transport workers can benefit directly from the palliative of the Federal Government. For this reason, we are here in Lagos.

“Ogun, Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo states are also here. We will all benefit from this immediate palliative. The President has told us that this is not just to end with 30,000 kits; the target is one million kits. We want to make sure all of you can benefit from this government initiative,” he stated.

Oluwagbemi announced that the government was building more CNG stations where drivers could buy the commodity at below N250/kg.

“The era of buying N750, N800, or N1,000/litre fuel is over. We are not doing that again. We will start using the gas under our feet so that we can buy it at N230/kg,” he stated.

However, an investigation by Saturday According revealed that the Federal Government would be doling out N900bn to convert no fewer than 750,000 vehicles in three years if it sustains its target of 250,000 vehicles per year starting next year.

Recall that in a statement issued on April 21, 2024, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Federal Government was ready to launch about 2,700 CNG-powered buses and tricycles before May 29, 2024, when President Tinubu marked one year in office.

In the statement titled, ‘Presidential CNG Initiative Set for Rollout,’ Onanuga said the Federal Government would deliver 100 conversion workshops and 60 refueling sites spread across 18 states before the end of 2024.

He said the Federal Government was targeting the purchase of “5,500 CNG vehicles (buses and tricycles), 100 electric buses, and over 20,000 CNG conversion kits, alongside spurring the development of CNG refueling stations and electric charging stations.”

With necessary tax and duty waivers approved by President Tinubu in December 2023, Onanuga said, “The P-CNGi committee is partnering the private sector to deliver the promise on the initiative.”

He added, “The private sector has responded with over $50m in actual investments in refueling stations, conversion centres, and mother stations.

“In all, over 600 buses are targeted for production in the first phase, which will be accomplished this year. A new plant on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will assemble thousands of tricycles.”