Taiye Ajayi

Dangote Refinery
Exclusive News

Dangote Refinery Hits Back at High-Sulphur Petrol Claims: “It’s Not Finished Fuel, It’s Raw Material”

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Dangote Refinery isn’t having it. After reports surfaced claiming the company imported dirty, high-sulphur petrol into Nigeria, management fired back hard, calling the accusations false and deliberately misleading. Here’s what actually happened, according to them: the cargo everyone’s talking about isn’t finished petrol at all. It’s an intermediate feedstock, basically raw material that still needs processing before it becomes the fuel you pump into your car. “The cargo in question is an intermediate feedstock, not finished petrol, and will be fully refined in our units to meet Nigerian and international quality standards,” the refinery explained in a statement released Friday. Dangote pointed out that processing different grades of crude oil and semi-finished products is standard practice for any serious refinery worldwide. It’s how they maintain quality and keep production running smoothly. Operating in a Free Trade Zone, the refinery stressed that everything they sell meets regulatory specs, not just in Nigeria, but in places like the United States and Europe, where fuel standards are notoriously strict. If they’re shipping to those markets, they argued, clearly they know what they’re doing. They also mentioned that every import comes with quality certificates shared with regulators, and they’re willing to make those documents public if needed. “We remain committed to advancing Nigeria’s energy independence, upholding the highest standards of quality and transparency, and delivering cleaner fuels for Nigeria and beyond,” they said. So what exactly was in that shipment? The documents tell the story. The cargo, officially called High-Sulphur Catalytic Gasoline (FCC Gasoline), was loaded at the Phillips 66 Humber Refinery in the UK on September 21, 2025, and shipped to Nigeria aboard a vessel called Clearocean Marigold. A quality certificate from Phillips 66, dated September 23, confirmed the product was “clear and bright,” free of water or junk, with gasoline-like properties including an octane rating of 92.3 (RON) and 79.3 (MON). The sulphur content tested at 690 ppm, way above the 50 ppm limit allowed for retail petrol in most countries. But Dangote insists that’s the whole point. This stuff was never meant to go straight into someone’s tank. It’s a blending component that gets cleaned up and desulfurized during the refining process before becoming the final product.

Celebrity Gist

Luchy Donald Buys Second House in One Year: “God Has Blessed Me with 2 Houses and a New Car”

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Luchy Donalds is on a roll, and she’s not being shy about it. The Nollywood actress just bought her second house in less than a year, and she’s taking a moment to thank God for the blessings piling up. She broke the news on Instagram with a photo of her new property, still glowing from the achievement. “Grateful for another one,” she wrote. “God has blessed me with 2 houses in one year, and a new car earlier this year. I’m forever thankful and grateful, God. I’m ready for the many blessings you have in store for me.” Two houses in one year. Her first property came last year when she moved into her Lagos mansion, a moment that already had fans cheering her on. Now, barely twelve months later, she’s adding another key to her collection. The comments section went wild with congratulations. Fellow actors, fans, and industry friends flooded her post with love, celebrating not just the houses but the hustle behind them. Luchy has quietly been building her empire in Nollywood. She’s not the loudest name in the room, but her work speaks for itself. And now, so do her receipts. For someone who’s been grinding in the industry, this back-to-back win feels like the reward for years of showing up, staying consistent, and believing things would work out. She’s made it clear she’s not done yet either. “I’m ready for the many blessings you have in store for me,” she said.

Celebrity Gist

Regina Daniels Gives Away ₦10 Million to Fans on Her Birthday: “This Year Feels Different”

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Regina Daniels isn’t just celebrating another year around the sun, she’s making sure her fans celebrate with her, literally. The Nollywood actress announced she’s giving away ₦10 million to 10 lucky fans, turning each of them into millionaires as her birthday gift to them. It’s the kind of gesture that gets people talking, and social media hasn’t stopped buzzing since she made the announcement on Instagram. But beyond the generous giveaway, Regina opened up about something more personal: this is the first time in six years she’s actually felt excited about her birthday. After marrying into the Nwoko family, birthdays became just another day. Her new family didn’t really do big personal celebrations, and somewhere along the way, that special feeling faded. “I haven’t felt this much excitement for my birthday in the last six years,” she admitted. So what changed? Regina credits motherhood, the support of her family, and her own growth for bringing back that happiness. Having two kids has shifted everything for her, what matters, what brings joy, what’s worth celebrating. “There’s something I’ve been enjoying doing for a while now,” she wrote. “Gifting my followers gives me so much joy, it’s my way of spreading love and happiness.” It’s clear this isn’t just about the money. For Regina, giving back feels like a full-circle moment. She reflected on the past year as one that showed her just how much God has planned for her life. “You know, this past year has made me realize God has so much in store for me,” she said, calling herself a young woman carrying generations while building her own. The comment section exploded with birthday wishes, congratulations, and fans hoping to be one of the lucky ten. But what stood out most was the appreciation for her humility and willingness to share her blessings. Regina wrapped up her message with a simple thank you to everyone who’s been there through thick and thin.

Shehu Sani
Exclusive News, Politics

Shehu Sani Blasts World Bank and IMF: “Their Policies Are Destroying Nigeria, Not Saving It”

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Former Senator Shehu Sani has come out swinging against the World Bank and IMF, accusing them of pushing policies that have plunged millions more Nigerians into poverty. His outburst follows fresh reports from both institutions showing just how dire things have become. The numbers are sobering: since 2018, an additional 45 million Nigerians have fallen below the poverty line. Today, nearly half the country, 47 percent, lives in poverty. In rural areas, it’s even worse. Three out of four people are struggling to survive. For children under 14, the situation is heartbreaking, over 72 percent are growing up in poverty, with little access to quality education and facing deep inequalities based on where they live and their gender. The IMF’s report isn’t much better. Between 2014 and 2023, Nigeria’s real income per person actually shrank by 0.7 percent every year. Both institutions point to familiar culprits: weak institutions, runaway inflation, massive inequality, and the country’s heavy reliance on oil revenue. But Sani isn’t having any of it. Taking to social media, he didn’t mince words. “The World Bank and IMF are the witches and wizards who will tell you to remove subsidies and float your currency in the ocean, expecting miracles of wealth and prosperity,” he wrote. “When the result turns out to be poverty and misery, they blame you for taking the wrong dosage.” His point is simple: these international bodies push the same economic playbook everywhere, remove subsidies, devalue your currency, liberalize the economy, without considering what actually works on the ground in Nigeria. And when things go south, they blame the government for not implementing their advice properly.

Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump
Foreign News, Politics

Trump Slams Obama’s Nobel Prize While Claiming Credit for Israel-Hamas Gaza Peace Deal

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President Donald Trump has criticized Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize while celebrating his role in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, calling it a “historic peace deal.” Speaking from the Oval Office on Thursday with Finland’s Prime Minister present, Trump took aim at Obama’s 2009 Nobel win, saying, “He got a prize for doing nothing.” Obama received the award just eight months into his presidency, a decision that drew widespread debate at the time. Trump went further, claiming, “They gave it to Obama for absolutely nothing but destroying our country.” The comments came as Trump praised the U.S.-brokered agreement between Israel and Hamas, which he says has ended two years of intense conflict in Gaza. He announced plans to travel to Egypt soon for the official signing ceremony. “I’ve stopped eight wars, that’s never happened before,” Trump said. “But I didn’t do it for recognition. I did it because I saved a lot of lives.” The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner is set to be announced today in Oslo, Norway. Despite his recent diplomatic win, Trump isn’t considered a favorite, with prediction market Kalshi giving him just a 5 percent chance. The leading contender is Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms, a volunteer network providing medical and humanitarian aid during Sudan’s brutal conflict that began in April 2023. Trump’s Gaza agreement represents a major breakthrough after two years of violence that have killed over 70,000 Palestinians following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and saw 250 people taken hostage. The president confirmed that the remaining hostages, about 20 survivors, will be released early next week. “I’ll be there,” Trump said. Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya backed up the deal’s significance, stating, “We have received assurances from the brotherly mediators and the U.S. administration that the war is completely over.”

Trending

Police Arrest 12 Suspects Over Murder of ARISE News Reporter and Security Guard in Abuja Robbery

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The FCT Police Command has arrested 12 armed robbery suspects linked to the killing of ARISE TV journalist Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu and security guard Barnabas Danlami during a deadly robbery at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja, on September 29, 2025. Police spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh announced the arrests on Friday, naming the suspects as Shamsudeen Hassan, Hassan Isah (22), Abubakar Alkamu, also known as Abba (27), Sani Sirajo, alias Dan Borume (20), the gang’s driver, Mashkur Jamilu, alias Abba (28), Suleiman Badamasi, known as Dan Sule (21), who supplied vehicles for the operation, Abdulsalam Saleh (Na-Durudu), Zaharadeen Muhammad, alias Gwaska (23), Musa Adamu, also called Musa Hassan (30), Sumayya Mohammed, known as Baby (27), Isah Abdulrahman, alias Abbati (25), and Musa Umar, alias Small (31). All suspects hail from Kaduna and Katsina States. Initial investigations show the gang obtained their weapons from an unidentified arms supplier in Niger Republic. The suspects also admitted to carrying out similar robberies in Katampe 1, a hotel in Apo, and another location in Zuba, all within Abuja. SP Adeh confirmed that Shamsudeen Hassan fired the fatal shot that killed security guard Barnabas Danlami. Police recovered the following items from the suspects: One locally fabricated AK-47 rifle One locally made pistol One pump-action gun 36 live ammunition rounds and 2 live cartridges 4 mobile phones 2 knives, 1 cutlass, and 1 heavy flashlight The FCT Police Command has assured Abuja residents that all suspects remain in custody and will be prosecuted.

Tinubu
Exclusive News

Tinubu Pardons 175 Nigerians Including Ken Saro-Wiwa, Mamman Vatsa, and Herbert Macaulay in Historic Clemency Move

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President Bola Tinubu has granted presidential pardon and clemency to 175 Nigerians, including posthumous pardons for executed poet-soldier Major General Mamman Vatsa and independence hero Herbert Macaulay. The announcement came after the National Council of State meeting on Thursday, October 9, in Abuja. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the decision demonstrates Tinubu’s commitment to justice, compassion, and healing old wounds. The clemency list includes former lawmaker Farouk Lawan, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Barrister Hussaini Umar, and Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, all described as showing genuine remorse and willingness to reintegrate into society. Major General Mamman Vatsa, a respected poet and military officer executed in 1986 following a controversial treason conviction, received a pardon nearly 40 years after his death. Herbert Macaulay, celebrated as the father of Nigerian nationalism and co-founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), was also pardoned. Macaulay had been convicted by British colonial authorities in 1913. The pardon package includes clemency for 82 inmates, sentence reductions for 65 others, and the commutation of 7 death sentences to life imprisonment. In what many see as a powerful gesture of reconciliation, Tinubu also pardoned the Ogoni Nine, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other environmental activists executed in 1995 under military rule: Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine. Four other Ogoni leaders, Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage, received posthumous national honours. The clemency initiative was driven by recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM), led by Attorney-General Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). The committee, inaugurated in January 2025 by Secretary to the Government Senator George Akume, was set up to promote justice, rehabilitation, and human rights within Nigeria’s prison system. After reviewing 294 cases, the PACPM recommended 82 clemencies, 2 pardons, 65 sentence reductions, 7 death sentence commutations, and 15 posthumous pardons. The committee considered factors like advanced age (60 and above), terminal illness, youth offenders (16 and below), good behavior in custody, and evidence of remorse.

Celebrity Gist

Do Men Deserve Empathy During Pregnancy? Solomon Buchi and Maraji’s Heated Debate Divides Social Media

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Life coach Solomon Buchi and popular skit maker Maraji have sparked a heated online debate after clashing over whether men should receive empathy during their wives’ pregnancies. The controversy began when Buchi shared a video of a man opening up about the emotional toll of supporting a pregnant partner. In the clip, the man discussed sleepless nights, emotional strain, and the pressure that comes with being there for an expectant wife. He argued that pregnancy affects both partners, and men’s emotional wellbeing deserves acknowledgment too. Maraji responded with a sharp rebuttal. She argued that women carry the heavier load, dealing with constant nausea, hormonal shifts, anxiety, and depression throughout pregnancy. “Why should anyone care about you when you are supposed to be the support system to your wife?” she challenged. Buchi pushed back, defending the man’s perspective. He clarified that the man wasn’t trying to compete with or dismiss what women go through, he was simply highlighting a reality many expectant fathers face but rarely talk about. “The man didn’t make unfair comparisons, nor did he invalidate his wife’s journey through pregnancy and childbirth,” Buchi explained. “He’s highlighting an important point: men have feelings too. The fact that he’s not carrying the child doesn’t mean he’s not doing something.” He emphasized that being a supportive husband can be emotionally draining, even while fulfilling an important role. “We need to understand the duality of the human experience,” Buchi said. “It’s possible to do what’s rightly your duty and still feel tired or lonely. The constant anxiety, even fear of losing a loved one, can make you sleepless.”

police
Exclusive News

Nigeria Police Halt Tinted Glass Permit Enforcement After Court Order

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The Nigeria Police Force has suspended enforcement of vehicle tinted glass permits following a court order that put the controversial exercise on hold. SP Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, confirmed the news during a Wednesday interview on AIT, saying the suspension took effect immediately after the police received the court order. “Information reaching me from the office of the PRO is that the order has been received, and the enforcement of the tinted permit is now on hold pending the court’s verdict,” she said. The enforcement will stay suspended until the court case wraps up. “We are waiting for the verdict. We are not against the courts, and we will continue to wait until we get a verdict,” Adeh added. Adeh pushed back against criticism of the regulation, explaining it was introduced to tackle a real security problem, not to harass drivers. “The law was not made by us; we are only enforcers. The policy was purely security-driven. Some criminals were using tinted vehicles to commit crimes, making it difficult for law enforcement to identify suspects,” she said. She also shot down accusations that the permit system was a money-making scheme for the police. All permit payments go straight into the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA), not police coffers, she clarified. For now, motorists can breathe easier. The tinted glass crackdown is on pause until the court has its final say.

Exclusive News

Michelle Obama Reveals Menopause Struggle During White House Years: “I Can’t Get Off This Plane Soaking Wet”

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Michelle Obama has opened up about navigating menopause while serving as First Lady, a challenge that hit her harder than expected during one of the most high-pressure periods of her life. On her podcast The Light (IMO), the 61-year-old shared how severe hot flashes disrupted her most public moments in the White House. “It comes suddenly, you wake up one day and you’re having hot flashes,” she said. “I was in my mid-to-late 40s. I woke up and started having these severe bouts of heat and sweating. I was like, what happened?” At first, she tried to push through without medical help. “I told myself, ‘I can get through this,’ instead of calling my doctor,” she admitted. But the symptoms became impossible to ignore while managing her demanding schedule. “I’ve got speeches to give, I’m on planes, I’m dressed up with my hair done,” she explained. “There was one trip where I had about 40 hot flashes. I was like, I can’t live like this. I can’t get off this plane soaking wet.” She even worried others might misread her physical response. “It’s like a hot furnace is lit inside you. Your organs feel like hot coals, and then you just burst with water. You’re dripping, your clothes are soaked, and you have to change everything.” Eventually, Michelle turned to hormone replacement therapy, which she said made a significant difference. But the experience made her realize how little women discuss, or even understand, about menopause. “We need to talk about the symptoms,” she urged. “A lot of women aren’t even taught to recognize what’s happening to their bodies. We should embrace transition, it’s not something negative. If we’re alive enough to experience change, then we’re blessed.” Now in her 60s, Michelle said she’s never felt better. “The best time of my entire life is right now,” she said. “I do not wish to be 20 again, not in any way, shape, or form. There’s a real freedom about this stage of life.” Looking ahead, she’s already planning for the decades to come. “I’m thinking about my 70s and 80s. I want to be able to do some of this stuff in my 80s.”

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