The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has dismissed reports of an explosion at the Port Harcourt Refining Company in Rivers State, describing the incident as a minor flare event that posed no threat. NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, who stated this through a statement issued on Wednesday, 19 March, 2025, also added that the situation had been brought under control. “What occurred was a routine flare incident, which has since been fully contained. There is no risk to staff, surrounding communities, or the environment,” the statement read. NNPC urged the public to disregard misinformation about an explosion at…
Author: Abimbola Ogunaike
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested the Accountant General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Jaja, for alleged N70bn fraud. A top source in the commission told our correspondent that Jaja was arrested in Abuja on Wednesday, 19 March, 2025 alongside an unlicensed Bureau De Change Operator, Aliyu Abubakar of Jasfad Resources Enterprise and a Point of Sale Operator, Sunusi Sambo. “They were arrested in connection with investigations of money laundering, diversion of public funds and misappropriation to the tune of N70 billion. “Already, investigations showed that cash withdrawal of N59 billion had been made through various…
The Federal Government, on Wednesday, 19 March, 2025 approved the disbursement of N32.8 billion from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to support primary healthcare programmes in the first quarter of the 2025 fiscal year. The funds will be distributed through the National Health Insurance Authority, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System. The FG also said it will approve a new set of governance guidelines for the BHCPF at the 10th BHCPF Ministerial Oversight Committee meeting. While reaffirming the government’s commitment to…
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS on Wednesday, 19 March, 2025 reassured Nigerians, particularly those living with HIV, that the country has a steady supply of antiretroviral drugs. This is following the statement by the World Health Organisation that the United States’ decision to halt foreign aid has disrupted the supply of HIV treatments in Nigeria, Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ukraine. The WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, at a press briefing on Monday, 17 March, 2025 stated that the halt of foreign aid by the U.S. government could put millions of lives at risk,…
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said his government will make Olumo Rock the best tourism destination in the country. He also stated that his administration will now shift its focus to tourism as a deliberate policy to benefit from the potential inherent in that sector of the economy. According to the Governor, a plan would be developed to ensure that the Olumo Rock Tourist Center receives the befitting presentation it deserves. Governor Abiodun spoke on Wednesday, 19 March, 2025 while inspecting the Olumo Rock Tourist Center, which he said represents the deep culture, history, and tradition of…
The Dangote Refinery has officially announced that it is halting the supply of petroleum products in naira,reportsthegazellenews.com. The Dangote Group, which made this disclosure in a statement issued on Wednesday, 19 March, 2025, said the suspension is temporary. This followed reports that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited might have stopped the sale of crude in naira to the Dangote refinery. “Dear calued customers, we wish to inform you that, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has temporarily halted the sale of petroleum products in Naira. This decision is necessary to avoid a mismatch between our sales proceeds and our crude oil purchase obligations,…
Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister Prince Lateef Fagbemi clarifies the declaration by President Bola Tinubu of the state of emergency in Rivers State. Opening Remarks by Prince Fagbemi: It’s no longer news that the president of the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, on Tuesday, 18 March, 2025, took the bull by the horns to do what was required of a statesman, a patriot and a head of State and commander in chief of the armed forces. The events in Rivers State started long ago, and he tried to intervene many times. Apart from that, well-meaning Nigerians,…
The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the State of Emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu will be faced with wisdom, patience, and unwavering faith in the democratic process. He noted that though there was political disagreement in the state, it did not affect governance. President Tinubu had suspended Fubara, his deputy and the state Assembly members on Tuesday, 18 March, 2025 and appointed a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd), as the administrator for a period of six months. Tinubu justified his decision on the lingering political crisis in the state which…
The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) has vowed to challenge the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and other elected officials of the state in court. On Tuesday, 18 March, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers, suspending the governor, his deputy and members of the State House of Assembly. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the PDP Governors asked the President to accept that he had made a mistake and reverse the decision. The Forum accused the President of bias, noting his failure to acknowledge the…
The Chairperson of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Yobe State Barrister Aisha Isah, has disclosed that it secured 70 convictions in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases following the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law. Isah, who made this disclosure during a Policy Implementation Workshop on Child Protection and VAAP Law, organised by CARE Nigeria, noted that since Governor Mai Mala Buni assented to the Child Protection Law in 2022, the prosecution of rape and other GBV cases has become more effective. According to Barrister Aisha, the convictions range from life imprisonment to sentences of 25, 15, and 10 years, depending on…