History

Dangote Refinery
History

Again, Dangote Refinery Cuts Fuel Price

/

This latest price cut comes after fuel landing cost dropped to N774.82 per litre, below Dangote Refinery’s N825 ex-depot prices. But as opposed to the February 26, 2025, price cut, Dangote Refinery failed to confirm the new cut in prices. Reports says that he action is occurring at a time when the NNPC and Dangote, two titans in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry, are engaged in a price war. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria’s spokesman, Chinedu Ukadike, confirmed the report. “It is true. There is speculation that the price of imported products is now lower. That is the reason for the price war. “It is the beauty of deregulation. Dangote has millions of litres and would not want any external force to take its market share. So it would have forced the price reduction,” he said. Concurrently, it is unclear if Dangote’s recent reduction in petrol prices will find its way into retail price reductions in its filling stations, including MRS, which sells at N860 per litre in Lagos and N880 in Abuja.

Exclusive News, History, Recently Added

NEDC Distributes Relief Items to North-East Governors’ Wives at First Lady’s Request

/

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has commenced the distribution of relief items, including thousands of bags of rice, sugar, vegetable oil, and cartons of spaghetti, to the wives of the six North-East governors. The distribution follows a request from Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, to support vulnerable communities in the region. During the presentation in Maiduguri, the NEDC State Coordinator, Engr. Mohammed Umar, handed over the items to Dr. Falmata Babagana Zulum, wife of the Borno State Governor, for onward distribution to the less privileged. He explained that the gesture extends across all six states in the North-East, ensuring that relief materials reach those in need. According to Umar, the initiative complements other palliative programs distributed through the NEDC and state governments. In total, 9,000 relief items including 3,000 bags of rice, 2,000 cartons of spaghetti, 2,000 cartons of vegetable oil, and 2,000 bags of sugar have been allocated to Borno, while the other five states will receive supplies based on their specific needs. He highlighted that since the 2024 Ramadan period, the commission has donated billions of naira worth of food and non-food items to Borno alone. Additionally, in response to the September 10, 2024, flood disaster, the NEDC has provided over 40,000 bags of rice within the past year to affected communities. Receiving the items on behalf of the Borno State Governor’s wife, Dr. Hauwa Mai Musa, Special Adviser on Women Affairs, expressed gratitude to the NEDC for its continued humanitarian support.

History, Recently Added

EFCC Refunds Over $120K and N70M to Fraud Victims in the U.S., Spain, and Switzerland

/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully refunded a total of $120,548.43 and N70,602,841.46 to victims of fraud in the United States, Spain, and Switzerland. This refund is part of the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to combat economic and financial crimes. The recovered funds, which were obtained from fraudsters operating within Nigeria, were returned to the victims as part of the EFCC’s commitment to ensuring justice and providing restitution for those affected by fraudulent schemes. Reaffirming its dedication to tackling financial crimes, the anti-graft agency emphasized that its relentless pursuit of fraudsters and recovery of stolen assets enhances Nigeria’s credibility in the global fight against financial crimes. This latest recovery underscores the EFCC’s continued efforts to protect both local and international victims of fraud, reinforcing its position as a key institution in the battle against corruption.

central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
Exclusive News, History

CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso Sets Sights on Reducing Inflation to Single Digits

/

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has set its sights on reducing inflation to single digits in the medium to long term, according to CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso. Speaking in Abuja after the 299th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, Cardoso discussed the recent rebasing of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which resulted in a decrease in Nigeria’s inflation rate from 34.8 percent to 24.8 percent. Cardoso emphasized that the new inflation figures provide a more accurate reflection of the country’s economic reality and align with global best practices. He stated: “Despite the positive shift in inflation figures, the MPC opted to maintain the current MPR to ensure sustained economic stability,” he said. “As always, we are data-driven. What we have is a CPI which is more reflective of the consumption pattern. To that extent, one commends the NBS for bringing this to reality.” The CBN governor also reassured that the bank would remain vigilant, continuing to monitor both domestic and global risks to ensure proactive measures are taken to safeguard the economy. He further highlighted the CBN’s long-term goal of reducing inflation to single digits, stating: “Our objective, in the medium to long term, is to ensure that we are able to bring this down from the double digits to the single digit,” he said. “As we continue with the policies that we have embarked upon, we believe that the road of travel will be in that direction.” Cardoso emphasized the importance of cooperation between monetary and fiscal authorities in achieving this goal. He acknowledged that progress would require both sectors working in tandem and stated: “I will be deceiving you to say the fiscal will do it on its own, the monetary will do it on its own. It won’t be. Coordination has always been important. But at no time can it be as important, in my view, as the situation we have now, because we can see change in a positive direction, and we need to not only maintain and hold but also improve it.” The recent monetary policy forum, which brought together fiscal and monetary authorities, marked a significant step toward improved coordination and economic stability, according to Cardoso. In discussing Nigeria’s external reserves, Cardoso revealed that they stood at $39.4 billion as of February 14, providing an import cover of 9.6 months for goods and services. However, data from the CBN’s website indicated a slight decrease, with reserves falling to $38.7 billion by February 19, a drop of $261.5 million.

Ganduje
Exclusive News, History, Politics

Kano High Court Sets April 15 for Hearing in Ganduje Corruption Case

/

A high court in Kano has scheduled April 15, 2025, for the hearing of preliminary objections in the corruption case involving Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Kano state government has filed an eight-count charge against Ganduje, along with his wife, Hafsat Ganduje, his son, Umar Abdullahi Umar, and five other defendants. The charges include bribery, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds. The co-defendants are Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited. During the court session on Thursday, February 13, the state’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, expressed readiness to proceed with the applications. While lawyers for Ganduje and some co-defendants also indicated their preparedness, others requested more time to regularize their submissions. Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu granted the requests for an extension and adjourned the case to April 15, when all pending preliminary objections will be heard.

Celebrity Gist, Entertainment, History, Trending

Olamide Makes History as First African Rapper to Hit 1 Billion Spotify Streams  

/

Nigerian rapper Olamide, founder of YBNL, has achieved a historic milestone by surpassing 1 billion streams on Spotify, becoming the first African rapper to do so. This remarkable feat is attributed to his seamless fusion of Afrobeats with rap and his collaborations with other artists. Last year, Olamide also made headlines as the first African rapper to earn a Grammy nomination. His hit song with Asake, Amapiano, was nominated in the inaugural Best African Music Performance category. Although the award ultimately went to Tyla for Water Olamide’s groundbreaking achievements continue to solidify his legacy in the global music scene.

Pastor Adeboye
History, Recently Added

Pastor Adeboye Responds to Viral AI-Generated Image of Him as an Alhaji

/

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), recently addressed a viral AI-generated image that portrayed him in Islamic attire, sparking significant buzz on social media. The image, which emerged in late December 2024, depicted Adeboye seemingly in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, dressed as an alhaji. During the first Holy Ghost Night service of the year, held on January 4, Adeboye acknowledged the image while addressing mockers and critics. The photo, originally shared by X user @Sarkideyforyou, came with the caption, “Pastor Adeboye may Allah guide you to the right path,” and quickly gained traction, amassing over 3.8 million views, 1,500 reposts, 1,800 comments, and 4,000 likes by December 22, 2024. While reflecting on the increasing number of mockers, Adeboye predicted that many of them would not make it through the year. With a playful smile, he commented on the image, saying: “I’m sure many of you saw that picture showing me as an alhaji.”

EFCC
History, Politics

EFCC and DSS to Spend ₦2 Billion on Fueling Operational Vehicles in 2025, According to Proposed Budget

/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) are set to spend a combined ₦2 billion on fueling their operational vehicles in 2025, as part of the proposed budget outlined by President Bola Tinubu. In a budget presented to the National Assembly on December 18, President Tinubu outlined a ₦47.90 trillion budget titled the “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace and Rebuilding Prosperity.” A key highlight of the budget is the ₦4.91 trillion allocation for defence and security, reflecting the administration’s commitment to addressing the nation’s security challenges. A detailed review of the proposed budget reveals that the EFCC has allocated ₦808.7 million for vehicle fuel costs, in addition to ₦462 million for refreshments and meals in 2025. On the other hand, the DSS plans to allocate ₦1.37 billion for fuel, alongside ₦1.4 million for tactical counter-terrorism equipment. Other notable allocations include ₦1.4 billion for arms and ammunition procurement and ₦1.1 billion for advanced cybersecurity tools. Furthermore, the DSS, along with agencies under the Office of the National Security Adviser, has earmarked ₦960 billion for the maintenance of national defence aircraft and the purchase of security equipment across multiple sectors.

Obasanjo
Exclusive News, History, Politics, Recently Added

Obasanjo Criticizes NNPCL Invitation as Disrespectful Amid Refinery Controversy

/

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has voiced strong criticism over the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (NNPCL) recent invitation to him, describing it as disrespectful. The invitation, issued through NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye, was extended following Obasanjo’s comments in an interview with Channels Television. During the interview, Obasanjo had criticized the management of Nigeria’s refineries and highlighted failed efforts to privatize them. Obasanjo specifically pointed to the rejection of a $750 million offer by Aliko Dangote to manage the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries during the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. This was in favor of NNPCL’s assurance that it could handle the refineries’ operations, a claim Obasanjo expressed doubt about. He also noted that despite over $2 billion spent on the refineries since 2007, there has been little progress, contrasting their inefficiency with the expected success of Dangote’s private refinery. Responding to the NNPCL’s invitation to tour the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, Obasanjo, through his media aide Kehinde Akinyemi, criticized the corporation for choosing a public statement over a formal letter. He called the approach an insult to his office, saying, “Is that the right way to invite a former president? It is a total disrespect for the office.” In defense, the NNPCL spokesperson stated that the refineries had undergone extensive rehabilitation and invited Obasanjo to see the improvements firsthand. However, reports have cast doubt on the progress, with limited activity at the Port Harcourt refinery and inconsistent operations. The NNPCL’s approach was also condemned by other groups, including the Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP). Afenifere’s Secretary-General, Chief Sola Ebiseni, supported Obasanjo’s critique, emphasizing that the country’s refinery mismanagement had gone on for years. CUPP’s National Secretary, Chief Peter Ameh, backed Obasanjo’s call for private-sector involvement to ensure better refinery operations and accused NNPCL of politicizing the issue rather than focusing on efficiency. Despite skepticism surrounding the refineries, NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, announced on December 31 that the Warri Refinery had resumed operations. However, Nigerians remain uncertain about the true state of the refineries’ functionality.

Foreign News, History

Iran Lifts Ban on WhatsApp and Google Play, Marking Early Step Toward Easing Internet Restrictions

/

Iran’s reformist government, under President Masoud Pezeshkian, has officially lifted the country’s ban on WhatsApp and Google Play, a significant move aimed at relaxing internet restrictions for its population of 85 million. The decision was made after a high-level meeting led by Pezeshkian and overcame opposition from hardline factions within the Islamic regime. Telecommunications Minister Sattar Hashemi hailed the development as a major milestone, stating on X: “Today, we took the first step towards lifting internet restrictions by demonstrating unity. This path will continue.” This change follows Pezeshkian’s refusal to enforce a recently ratified law that would have imposed stricter penalties on women for not adhering to the Islamic dress code. Additionally, his administration has quietly reinstated dozens of university students and professors who had been previously banned from academic roles, signaling a broader movement for reform. Iran’s Islamic government is facing mounting internal and external pressures, including economic challenges and social unrest. Regionally, the collapse of Syria’s government under Bashar al-Assad, a key ally, has added to these strains. While hardline factions argue that unrestricted internet access can be exploited by foreign adversaries like the US and Israel to wage a “soft war” against the regime, reformists maintain that excessive censorship only heightens public discontent. Pezeshkian, who assumed the presidency in July, campaigned on promises to improve economic and social conditions, including reducing internet censorship and easing dress code laws. Despite the longstanding bans on platforms like X, Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram, many Iranians have bypassed these restrictions through widely available VPNs. Reformist politicians have criticized hardliners for profiting from the VPN market while continuing to enforce these internet bans. Ali Sharifi Zarchi, a university professor recently reinstated by the government, praised the lifting of the bans as a “positive and hopeful” step but urged that the reforms should not be limited to just these two platforms. “It should not remain limited to these two platforms,” he noted.

Scroll to Top