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  • Tinubu lauded for removing Kyari, Akinyelure, NNPC board

    Tinubu lauded for removing Kyari, Akinyelure, NNPC board

    An economist, Prof. Evans Osabuohien, has commended President Bola Tinubu for removing both the Chairman, Board and Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

    Osabuohien, who is Head of the Economics Department at Covenant University in Ota, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that their removal was a welcome development.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the removal of Pius Akinyelure, the Company’s Chairman, and Mele Kyari, the GCEO, was announced on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Osabuohien said sacking the NNPC board would help to check sharp practices in the petroleum sector.

    “The sacking of the NNPC board was a right step in the right direction,” he added.

    The economist however stated that the move should not stop there. “There is the need for a holistic probe of that sector,” he said.

    Osabuohien said NNPC had been recording losses since in the past two years when it became a private company.

    He suggested that the Federal Government should make NNPC a public liabilities company so that there would be a board of directors which would be responsible to the public.

    “This will make the sector vibrant and be contributing positively to the economy and generating employment opportunities in the country.”

    Osabuohien also urged the Federal Government to look into the recent conflict between the NNPC and Dangote Group.

    NAN reports that presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga had on Tuesday in a statement said President Tinubu had removed both Akinyelure and Kyari, and all other board members.

    The President had instead replaced Akinyelure and Kyari with Ahmadu Kida and Bayo Ojulari respectively.

  • Breaking: Edo tribunal declines to nullify Gov Okpebholo’s election

    Breaking: Edo tribunal declines to nullify Gov Okpebholo’s election

    ABUJA- The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, declined to nullify the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

    In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel of the tribunal led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, equally refused to order the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct a fresh governorship poll in Edo state.

    The tribunal held that the prayer, which was contained in a petition that was brought before it by the Accord Party, AP, and its gubernatorial candidate in the state, could not be granted as the petitioners failed to discharge the burden of proof placed on them by the law.

    While striking out the petition for being incompetent, the panel noted that whereas the petitioners alleged that the governorship election held in the state on September 21, 2024, was invalid by reason of corrupt practices and non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, they, however, failed to adduce any credible evidence to establish the allegation.

    According to the tribunal, while the petitioners made “general and sweeping allegations” against the outcome of the election, they failed to bring particulars of exact polling units or wards where the alleged widespread rigging and non-compliance occured.

    Describing some of the averments in the petition as “vague”, the tribunal held that allegations against governor Okpebholo’s victory, were not substantiated.

    The tribunal said it found merit in all the preliminary objections that were filed to challenge the competence of the petition.

    It will be recalled that while the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared that Okpebholo of the APC secured a total of 291, 667 votes to defeat his closet rivalry, Ighodalo of the PDP, who got a total of 247, 655 votes, candidate of the AP scored a total of 252 votes.

    Dissatisfied with the result, AP and its candidate lodged the petition, insisting that the election was fraught with manifest irregularities they said included multiple thumbprinting, violence, intimidation and harassment of voters, as well as alleged failure to use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, machines in various polling units in the state.

    The Justice Kochi-led panel held that the petition did not disclose any reasonable cause of action.

    The tribunal had earlier dismissed another petition the Action Alliance, AA, also filed to nullify governor Okpebholo’s election.

    With the two cases gone, the panel is set to decide the joint petition the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, filed to be declared authentic winners of the disputed governorship contest.

  • Ex-police officer allegedly kills 2 family members over land dispute in Lagos

    Ex-police officer allegedly kills 2 family members over land dispute in Lagos

    The Yovoyan community in Badagry, Lagos, was thrown into mourning on Tuesday morning when an ex-police officer, allegedly shot and killed two family members and one other person over a land dispute.

    A Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that Mr Richard Atideka, Mrs Latevi Atideka, both from Yovoyan community,  and Mr Muji Onilude from the neighboring Gberefu community, were killed by the ex-police officer and his accomplice.

    A survivour of the attack, Mr David Atideka, recounted the harrowing experience, stating that the incident occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. in the Atideka compound.

    “I was inside my room discussing with my wife when I stepped out to urinate. As I did, I saw two armed men entering the compound. I quickly hid nearby.

    “They entered my room, asked for me, and immediately shot my wife in the head. Out of fear, I ran to inform my elder brother, but when I arrived, I found his lifeless body—he had been shot too,” David narrated.

    He further alleged that he saw his elder brother, the suspect, the ex-police officer, along with another armed person, leaving the compound after killing his wife and brother.

    “The person I saw was my brother, the police officer. I recognised him clearly,” he said.

    NAN learnt  that the alleged suspected killer had been in a long-standing dispute with his brothers over land ownership.

    A reliable source disclosed that the suspect had been attempting to seize land from David and Richard Atideka.

    “They had taken the matter to court, where the suspect was arrested and detained but later released on bail. They were due for a final court judgment this Thursday,” the source revealed.

    Meanwhile, Mr Yusuf Onilude, the son of slain Muji Onilude, said his father had just left his room moments before he was murdered.

    “My father came to my room at about 2:10 a.m. We spoke for a few minutes before he left.

    “Less than five minutes later, I heard gunshots outside. I rushed out and saw a man running away. I chased him, but he fired shots in the air and escaped.

    “When I returned, I found my father in a pool of blood. He had been shot dead,” he said.

    Reacting to the incident, community representative Mr James Yovoyan urged the police to ensure the perpetrators were brought to justice.

    Chief Lorence Atideka, the family head, lamented the tragedy, calling on the government to arrest and prosecute everyone involved.

    However, Henry Atideka, the son of the alleged killer, denied the accusations, claiming that unknown gunmen carried out the attack.

    “My father was not around when the incident happened, and he has been invited by the police.

    “Although the family had some disagreements, it was not about land but a conspiracy, which we planned to resolve this Thursday,” he said.

    Henry expressed optimism that the police would uncover the truth and punish the culprits.

    However, a senior police officer who wished to remain anonymous confirmed that the police had taken the corpses to the General Hospital in Badagry and had launched an investigation into the killings

  • Edo tribunal dismisses AA’s petition against Gov Okpebholo

    Edo tribunal dismisses AA’s petition against Gov Okpebholo

    The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed a case the Action Alliance, AA, filed to nullify the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

    The Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member panel held that the petition, which AA filed alongside its National Chairman, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, lacked merit.

    The tribunal held that the petition touched on pre-election issues which it lacked the requisite jurisdiction to entertain.

    The petitioners had among other things, alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, excluded its lawful candidate in the governorship election that held on September 21, 2024.

    They alleged that contrary to various court judgements, the electoral body accepted and recognised a candidate that was not validly nominated by the party.

    According to the petitioners, INEC’s failure to publish the name of the rightful candidate of the party for the gubernatorial contest amounted to a substantial non-compliance to provisions of section 134(1) (b) of the Electoral Act.

    More so, aside from their contention that Governor Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, did not secure the majority of lawful votes cast during the election, the petitioners insisted that the exercise was marred by corrupt practices.

    Consequently, they prayed for the nullification of the election, a request the panel refused on Wednesday.

    The panel upheld all the preliminary objections that were lodged against the petition.

    All the respondents, including INEC and Governor Okpebholo, had challenged the competence of the petition, stressing that the National Chairman of the AA was bereft of the locus standi to institute the action since he did not participate in the governorship poll.

    They equally maintained that the petition was statute-barred as it contained pre-election matters that were beyond the jurisdiction of the tribunal.

    It will be recalled that AA’s candidate, Mr. Tom Iseghhi-Okojie, stepped down for governor Okpebholo, a few days before the governorship election.

  • Tinubu jets out to Paris on 14-day working visit

    Tinubu jets out to Paris on 14-day working visit

    ABUJA — PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu will depart for Paris, France, today on a short working visit.

    This was contained in a statement issued by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga in Abuja.

    The statement said during the visit, the President will appraise his administration’s mid-term performance and assess key milestones.

    It said: “He will also use the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary.

    “This period of reflection will inform plans to deepen ongoing reforms and accelerate national development priorities in the coming year.

    “Recent economic strides reinforce the President’s commitment to these efforts, as evidenced by the Central Bank of Nigeria reporting a significant increase in net foreign exchange reserves to $23.11 billion—a testament to the administration’s fiscal reforms since 2023 when net reserves were $3.99 billion.”

    It further said: “While away, President Tinubu will remain fully engaged with his team and continue to oversee governance activities. He will return to Nigeria in about a fortnight.”

  • Wike can say anything under alcohol influence — Ijaw Nation President

    Wike can say anything under alcohol influence — Ijaw Nation President

    The President of the Ijaw Nation Congress, Professor Benjamin Okaba, has described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as a careless speaker who could say anything under the influence of alcohol.

    Prof Okaba said this in response to Wike’s claim that the Ijaws are a minority ethnic group in Nigeria.

    Wike recently made a controversial comment while addressing journalists about the political crisis involving him and Siminalayi Fubara, an Ijaw man who succeeded him as governor of Rivers State.

    Speaking on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the Professor of Sociology dismissed Wike’s remark as a careless comment.

    Prof Okaba explained that the Ijaws are among the four largest ethnic groups in Nigeria and that their territories extend beyond the country’s land areas.

    He said, “The person you’re talking about (Wike) could say anything under the influence of alcohol and later debunk it; he is a very careless speaker. These are basic demographics that are well-known. Ijaws are not the fourth largest; they are one of the four largest.

    “Most times, we look at the land mass, the land mass in terms of space cannot exist outside a water space. So the boundaries of the Ijawland or may be Nigeria beyond land; it goes into the rivers. So from wherever that is a boundary of Nigeria, all that River spots belong to the Ijawland.”

    Prof Okaba explained further that the Ijaws are the most populous ethnic group in the Niger Delta region, spreading across six states.

    “We are not minorities, in fact, we are the most populous and most indigenous ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta, that’s a fact that is well known. Ijaws are in six states,” he maintained.

    Apart from Bayelsa State, he stated that the Ijaws are indigenous to many communities in Abia, Delta, Edo, Ondo and Rivers State, adding that Wike’s comment was a deliberate distortion of fact.

    “They are in Abia. 26 communities in Abia State are indigenous Ijaw people. So we felt that was a deliberate distortion. In Delta State, we have more than four local government areas; even in Rivers State, we have 10 and a half local government areas, and Ikwerre has three. Forget about those who distorted political census figures; when the time comes for real counting, we shall know them. Ijaws are in Ondo State; they are in Edo State, he submitted.

    The academic, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu not to allow one individual to destroy his efforts to ensure democracy in Nigeria, stating that Wike is nothing outside government.

  • Tnubu calls for support for people living with autism

    Tnubu calls for support for people living with autism

    The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, in commemoration of World Autism Awareness Day, 2025, has called for inclusion and support for individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disease (ASD).

    In a special message, the First Lady on Wednesday expressed her joy in joining the international community in recognising and celebrating the incredible potential and skills of individuals living with ASD.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by repetitive, restricted and inflexible patterns of behaviour, interests, activities and difficulties in social interactions and social communication.

    Tinubu emphasised that the year 2025 theme, “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” is a reminder for people to embrace and consider autistic persons.

    “This year’s theme reminds us that being considerate of people living with autism is not just a moral responsibility but a vital pillar of sustainable development.

    “Neurodiversity is a beautiful testament to human uniqueness. We all process information differently. Yet, many individuals with autism continue to face discrimination in accessing quality education, healthcare, employment, and social acceptance,” she said.

    She encouraged Nigerians to accept the uniqueness of others as the world strives to achieve the SDGs, especially SDG 4 & 8 that covers access to quality education and economic opportunities for all.

    She also appealed against discrimination, adding that it was pertinent that all citizens of the country could coexist peacefully.

    “On this special day, I encourage all Nigerians to embrace neurodiversity.

    “Advocate for inclusion, and work together to create a society where every individual has the opportunity to excel,” she said.

    NAN recalled that the stakeholders in the humanitarian sector had, on March 21, in a forum held in Abuja, pledged to facilitate access to education, health and other amenities for victims of autism and other persons with disabilities (PWDs).

    The stakeholders made the pledge at a roundtable organised by the House Committee on Disability Matters.

    The Chairman of Sustainable Development for African Youth Initiative (SUDAYI), Mrs Victoria Jim, reaffirmed the initiative’s commitment to bridging the gap in autism services and support.

    Jim said that the initiative would also ensure that those with autism and their families received the resources and care they deserved. (NAN)

  • 5 things to know about Bayo Ojulari, former Shell chief now NNPC GCEO

    5 things to know about Bayo Ojulari, former Shell chief now NNPC GCEO

    President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday appointed Bayo Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited.

    This followed the sack of the board including its GCEO Mele Kyari and board chairperson Pius Akinyelure.

    Below are five things to know about Ojulari:

    1. Ojulari is an indigene of Kwara State and is a seasoned Nigerian engineer with expertise in petroleum, process and production engineering.

    2. He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria after studying Mechanical Engineering between 1985 and 1989.

    3. Ojulari worked at Elf as a fresh graduate from September 1989 to October 1991.

    4. He joined Shell in November 1991 as an Associate Production Technologist at Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), after he left Elf Petroleum Nigeria as a Fields and Process Engineer.

    5. He worked at Shell for over 24 years, rising to become the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) in November 2015, a position he held until July 2021.

    Other things to know about Ojulari are:

    After joining Shell in 1991, he rose to become a member of the Integrated Studies Team at Shell headquarters in the Netherlands in June 1994, a position he held till October 1995.

    Between April 1997 and November 1999, he was the Head Planning Economics and Budgeting at SPDC Nigeria, from where he rose to become the Asset Leader and Head Production Technologist at Shell in Oman from December 1999 to September 2003.

    He became the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Planner at Shell headquarters in October 2003 and held the position till December 2004.

    From January 2005 to October 2008, he was the Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy at SPDC Nigeria during which time he also briefly held the position of Asset Production Technologist from November 2006 to March 2007.

    At Shell, he remained in Nigeria from then on, becoming the Manager, Asset Development (Onshore and Shallow Water) SPDC Nigeria from October 2008 to October 2010.

    From January 2010 to October 2015, he was the Development Director at SPDC Nigeria, after which he rose to become the Managing Director of SNEPCo from November 2015 to July 2021 when he left the company.

    He established the BAT Advisory and Energy Company Nigeria Ltd in September 2021 and served as its board chairman. One of the main tasks of the company was to provide consultancy services to firms in the oil and gas/energy sector.

    He was appointed the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company in January 2024, a position he held until his new appointment as NNPC chief.

    He joined Renaissance at a time when the company was concluding its purchase of a Shell asset in Nigeria.

  • Niger junta frees ministers of overthrown government

    Niger junta frees ministers of overthrown government

    Niger’s junta said Tuesday it had freed around 50 people, including ministers from the government it toppled in July 2023, in line with recommendations of a “national conference” in February.

    Those freed include former ministers, a diplomat, a journalist and soldiers accused of a coup bid in 2010. However ousted former president Mohamed Bazoum is still in detention despite international calls for his release.

    “These individuals are being released in accordance with the recommendations of the National Forum for Reconstruction,” the government’s general secretariat said in a statement read on public television.

    Those released include former oil minister Mahamane Sani Issoufou, the son of ex-president Mahamadou Issoufou who was in power for a decade from 2011, ex-defence minister Kalla Moutari, former finance minister Ahmat Jidoud, and former energy minister Ibrahim Yacoubou.

    The president of the PNDS former ruling party, Foumakoye Gado, and journalist Ousmane Toudou are also among those freed along with Alat Mogaskia, former ambassador to Nigeria.

    They were arrested after the coup that brought to power General Abdourahamane Tiani, former head of the presidential guard, and were being held in various prisons, notably for “conspiracy to undermine the security and authority of the state”.

    Similar charges are pending against former president Bazoum, whose immunity was lifted without a trial date being set.

    Soldiers previously convicted of coup bids or “endangering state security” were also released, including general Salou Souleymane, former chief of staff, and three other officers sentenced in 2018 to up to 15 years in prison for trying to overthrow president Issoufou in 2015.

    – ‘Forgiveness’ –

    The national conference held in February strengthened the ruling junta by authorising Tiani to remain in power in Niger for the next five years.

    “I wish to reiterate my commitment to always work for forgiveness and reconciliation among Nigeriens,” junta leader Tiani declared after his inauguration as president last week.

    “The forgiveness and reconciliation we call for cannot conflict with the legitimate aspirations of Nigeriens for justice.”

    Since coming to power, Niger’s military rulers have severed relations with France and expelled French and American soldiers engaged in a battle against jihadists.

    They have also left organisations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    At the same time it has moved closer to its two neighbours, Burkina Faso and Mali, both governed by military leaders and facing the same deadly jihadist attacks.

    Together they have formed a group known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and strengthened ties with Russia.

    Their three foreign ministers are expected in Moscow on Thursday and Friday for talks with their Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

  • Britain’s Jones collapses on court in Colombia

    Britain’s Jones collapses on court in Colombia

    Britain’s Fran Jones was helped off court in a wheelchair after collapsing during a match in Colombia.

    Jones was attempting to serve in the ninth game of a deciding third set in Bogota when she fell to the floor.

    The 24-year-old initially lay on her back before rolling on to her side as she was attended to by medical staff.

    Opponent Julia Riera walked over to check on Jones and helped lift her on to a wheelchair.

    Jones, the British number five, was unable to finish the first-round match in the Colsanitas Cup, a WTA 250 tournament.

    “Due to a physical issue, Francesca Jones has withdrawn from her match against Julia Riera at 6-2 5-7 5-3 in favour of the Argentinian,” read a Colsanitas Cup statement.

    “We wish the British tennis player a speedy recovery.”

    Jones beat Riera in straight sets last week on her way to winning the W75 Vacaria in Brazil, the eighth ITF title of her career.

    Meanwhile, Heather Watson is out of the Charleston Open after a straight-set defeat by Iryna Shymanovich in the first round.

    The British number seven was beaten 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 by the Belarusian world number 215.