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Choose Between Petrol At N1,000/litre Or CNG For N200, Tinubu Tells Nigerians

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  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that Nigerian motorists now have a choice between paying N1,000 per litre for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, or buying Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) at N200 per Standard Cubic Meter. The president said this during a meeting with executives of the Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO), led by the director, Mr. Ramesh Kasangra, at the State House in Abuja. In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu emphasised his administration’s push for cleaner, more affordable fuel options for Nigerians. “Nigeria’s motorists can buy petrol at N1,000 per litre or equivalent gas per Standard Cubic Meter at N200,” Tinubu stated. “We have also introduced incentives for commercial motorists to convert from petrol to gas, free of cost.” Continuing, he said; “This move is part of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), which is aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on petrol while promoting the use of CNG as an alternative fuel source. Tinubu praised NIPCO’s role in supporting the initiative, noting that the company’s investments align with his administration’s energy diversification strategy. “NIPCO’s efforts in promoting and supporting the ‘Switch to CNG’ campaign have been instrumental in boosting public awareness and providing affordable CNG conversion kits,” the president said. “This partnership helps us reduce fuel costs for consumers and our carbon footprint.” Tinubu also underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in driving Nigeria’s energy transition and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for private-sector investments. “Our administration is focused on expanding Nigeria’s CNG infrastructure to enhance energy efficiency and stimulate economic growth,” Tinubu remarked, highlighting the long-term benefits of cleaner and more affordable energy solutions. The President further encouraged NIPCO to continue its innovative approach to CNG expansion while supporting the government’s broader goals in the energy sector. In his remarks, Mr Ramesh Kasangra expressed his gratitude for the government’s steadfast support of the CNG sector. He reaffirmed NIPCO’s commitment to working closely with the government to expand the CNG infrastructure, ensuring that CNG becomes a viable and accessible alternative for Nigerians nationwide. “We believe in Nigeria’s long-term potential,” Kasangra said, adding that NIPCO has already invested over N100 billion in laying pipelines for easy access to CNG and building CNG stations across the country.

$500k Fuel Subsidy Bribe: Farouk Lawan regains freedom from Kuje prison

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  A former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan has regained his freedom after serving his jail term at the Kuje Custodial Centre. Spokesman of the Federal Capital Territory FCT Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service NCoS, Adamu Duza confirmed the development to Vanguard. Yes, he has been released having served his sentence”, he said on phone. In a statement, Lawan thanked God for his release which he said marks the beginning of a new chapter in his life. He said; “I Thank Almighty Allah. Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life as I step out of Kuje Custodial Centre, with a heart full of gratitude to Allah SWT for seeing me through this trial. “My gratitude is deep, I’m alive and in good health and high spirits to be with my family, friends and associates. I don’t take that for granted. “I remain grateful and indebted to my family and friends who stood by me through this particularly trying phase of my life. May Allah bless you”. Before his predicament, Lawan, was one of the most influential lawmakers in the National Assembly and a kingmaker of some sorts as he was practically involved in the emergence of all Speakers of the House before 2015. The former Peoples Democratic Party PDP lawmaker who was chairman of the “Integrity Group” in the House which masterminded the the impeachment of the then speaker, Patricia Etteh, was elected to the Lower Chambers four times in 1999, 2003, 2007 and again in 2011. In the wake of fuel subsidy removal in January 2012 which kee to nationwide protests and strikes, Lawan chaired a Parliamentary inquisition into the subsidy regime which repeatedly had an estimated scam of $6.8 billion. In February 2013, Lawan was accused of demanding $3 million from Otedola to remove Zenon from the list of oil companies allegedly involved in the petrol subsidy scam which rocked the nation some years ago. He was later convicted for soliciting and accepting a $500,000 bribe from businessman Femi Otedola, Chairman, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd. However, it was not until June 2021 that Lawan was and sentenced to seven years in prison. The appellate court however reduced his sentence to five years, a decision which was affirmed by the Supreme Court in January 2024. The former federal lawmaker represented the Bagwai/Shanono constituency of Kano state in the House of Representatives.   Vanguard    

Bobrisky Moved To FCID, Spends Night In Detention.

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  Controversial crossdresser, Okuneye Idris, otherwise known as Bobrisky, is currently in detention at the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos State, where he spent the night in a cell at the police facility. A source, who confirmed the development to our correspondent, said further directives were being awaited regarding Okuneye’s case, adding that he was taken to the FCID for safekeeping following his arrest by officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service during his attempt to exit the country through the Seme border. The source said, “Bobrisky was brought to the FCID, Alagbon, around 10 p.m. on Monday. Immigration arrested him at Seme Boarder and brought him for safekeeping. “He is in detention at the FCID, Alagbon. He was arrested on Sunday, detained overnight, and taken to the FCID, Alagbon, around 10 pm on Monday. He is still at the FCID.” Confirming Okuneye’s detention, the spokesperson for the FCID, Lagos, Mayegun Aminat, during a conversation with our correspondent on Tuesday, said, “He is detained at FCID Alagbon. He is with us and we are to get a remand to keep him in custody today.” PUNCH Online had reported that the spokesperson for the NIS, Kenneth Udo, in a statement on Monday evening, described Okuneye as a person of interest over recent issues of public concern. “In keeping with its commitment to securing the borders, Nigeria Immigration Service intercepted Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, otherwise known as Bobrisky at the Seme Border over an attempt to exit the country. “He is undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action. The Service assures the public that it will continue to be civil and professional in its statutory responsibility of manning the country’s borders,” Udo said.

Makinde inaugurates 480 Amotekun Forest Rangers (PHOTOS)

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  Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated 480 Amotekun Forest Rangers, promising that his government will continue to give priority attention to the security of residents of the state. He explained that plans are underway to establish airstrips in Igbeti and Otu towns respectively, noting that the state government will also provide aircraft security gadgets to support and enhance security surveillance activities in the state. The governor stated this on Monday at the passing-out parade of the 480 Amotekun Corps Forest Rangers, held at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Iseyin, Oyo State. Governor Makinde declared that he would approve hardship allowance for all Amotekun corps, reiterating the commitment of his government towards supporting all security outfits in the state and prioritising the welfare of workers, He said: “Since assuming office in 2019, we have continued to invest heavily to secure Oyo State by supporting our security agencies to carry out their duties efficiently and effectively. “But we knew that more needed to be done to secure more lives and property. You will agree with me that one of the biggest achievements in security was the creation and operationalisation of the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun by governors of the South-West states. “Even though Oyo Amotekun only commenced operation in November 2020, we cannot imagine Oyo State without them. This is how important they have become to our security architecture over these years. “We recognised that there was more to be done to address kidnapping, banditry and other illegal activities in our forests and this is what led to the initiative to establish Forest Rangers as a sub-unit of Amotekun in 25 local government areas, with about 480 recruits out of the 561 passing out today. “These rangers are to work within the forests in their local government areas alongside other stakeholders and other community groups. Their task is to secure our farmers and other people engaged in commercial activities. They are also to preserve our natural resources in our forests in the forest to prevent illegal activities. “These additional Oyo Amotekun recruits passing out today will increase the number of Amotekun to 2,500 corps members. “Let me once again restate our commitment to providing all that is required to ensure that Oyo Amotekun can deliver on their mandate. We will continue to provide the equipment needed and monthly operational grant to ensure smooth operations. “We took out Group Life Insurance for the existing 2,000 operatives and I want to say that we will ensure that the new recruits, who are passing out today, are also brought immediately under the Group Life Insurance. “We will ensure that your new assignments are not hardship postings by supporting you with all that you need to succeed. We also expect that you will remain dedicated to your duties and ensure that you follow all the laid down guidelines and procedures which you received during your training. “The Commandant asked for Hardship Allowance for the forest rangers. We are not only going to provide the allowance for the forest rangers but provide it for all Amotekun Corps. So, bring the proposal to me. It is approved as requested. “We will employ more Amotekun Corps. We will set up an arm of Amotekun that will use aircraft for surveillance activities, drones. We will set up two airstrips; one will be in Igbeti, Olorunsogo Local Government Area and one in Otu, Itesiwaju Local Government Area. All of these will happen within the next one year. “So, with the Airport in Ibadan, the Airstrip in Igbeti and Otu, before ground troops move in for any clearance operation, we would have got a lot of intelligence and information provided by Amotekun.” Governor Makinde thanked the security commanders, security agencies, Amotekun Corps and all the members of Oyo State Security Council for ensuring that the state is one of the most secure states in Nigeria. The governor also assured the Amotekun Corps of adequate integration and sustainability of their jobs with the government, stressing that the government would put in place adequate and appropriate modalities that would guarantee their jobs after the expiration of his administration. Earlier in his address, the Commandant, Oyo State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun Corps, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (rtd), said the recruitment of the Amotekun Forest Rangers was to complement the efforts of Governor Makinde. He noted that the rangers would keep the state safe and secure from increasing threats of kidnapping, banditry and illegal mining in the forests with 24 hours of static and mobile patrol, ensuring safety of farmers and protection of natural resources from illegal exploitation. He equally commended the governor for supporting and prioritising the welfare of the officers and provision of adequate equipment and logistics support since the establishment of the agency. The event had in attendance former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Director-General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN Commission), Mr Seye Oyeleye; top government functionaries, service commanders, local government chairmen, traditional rulers and religious leaders.  

Immigration Source Reveals Details Of Bobrisky’s Arrest At Seme Border

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  Popular crossdresser Bobrisky was apprehended at the Seme border on October 21 during routine passport checks. An immigration source revealed to Premium Times that the arrest took place at midnight, with Bobrisky detained until the following morning. According to the source, after submitting his passport for validation, Bobrisky’s identity was flagged by an officer who recognized his name among the documents. The officer then instructed him to exit his vehicle for further questioning. Currently, Bobrisky has been transferred to the Lagos zone of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in Ikeja for processing. His arrest comes amid an ongoing investigation by a House of Representatives committee, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigerian Correctional Service concerning allegations of bribery.  

How Oluwo Chased Me When I Visited Him Over Isese – Ooni Of Ife

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  The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi has disclosed that he was chased out when he visited the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, in his palace. The monarch made this known in a trending video on TikTok on Sunday. Speaking, the Ooni of Ife said, “When I visited Oluwo, he chased me out like a child, since that incident, I have always maintained myself going close to him. Now that you people (attendees) are imploring that I visit him again, what if he does what he likes to me? “But I have to contain his excesses as an elder, although I am a young person sitting on the throne of the elders. Oluwo, I greet you.” Although Ogunwusi did not speak on any feud between him and Oluwo of Iwo in the viral video as both are respected monarchs in Osun State, findings revealed that Oluwo has not been pleased with Ooni’s relationship and activities with the traditionalists who he described as ‘idols worshippers’. In another video, Akanbi popularly called Telu 1 was seen telling the people of Iwo to detest traditional practices warning that anybody indulging in it should do so in their respective homes. “My work as a monarch is to stand for God and preach about him alone while challenging those worshipping things other than Him. I don’t do Ogun or any idol festival. Although, I have previously celebrated the Egungun festival with the worshippers but I will never do that again. Except that they don’t call it idol worshipping. I don’t support their activities, that’s why their dealings don’t thrive here. “And you cannot even perform sacrifices in Iwo here. Anyone who does that will eat it. Better still, litter your house with the sacrifices. Environmental sanitation has been exercised here to curb things like that. What anyone would need to be successful is to challenge the idols and their worshippers. That alone would make you a soldier of God,” he added. Continuing, Oluwo in his Facebook post on Monday clarified that Iwo used to be ruled by a traditional monarch but has ceased being that since the emergence of Oba Memudu Ayinla Lamuye in 1800 spread Islam in the town as the monarch converted the whole Iwo people to Islam. He wrote, ”Oba Ibirinade Abioye Adekanbi (Alawusa) brought Islam in 1600. He evacuated idols and converted a place of worshipping deities to the Oluwo Central Mosque. Precisely, he birthed the first Mosque in South Western Nigeria in 1600. Later in the late 1800, another Oluwo, Oba Memudu Ayinla Lamuye (pictured above) spread Islam and converted the whole Iwo people to Islam and that’s why in Iwo, every compound has a Mosque and there is no Iwo indigene that does not have a Muslim name including recent convertees when the missionaries came. “Oba Ibirinade Adekanbi was also called Alawusa because he was hospitable. He accommodated Malians who people tagged Hausa then they came to settle in Iwo. Oluwo was turbaned. New Oluwo used to be enthroned with a beaded crown before 1600. After 1600, turbanning used to come first before wearing the beaded crown. Oba Muhammad Ayinla Lamuye spent 90 years on the throne. Exactly 100 years after, the reigning Oluwo, was enthroned to complete the good work of the past monarchs.” Recall that Akanbi in 2018 alleged that Ogunwusi ordered his bodyguard to push him out of the way during a meeting of traditional rulers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital. According to Akanbi, the incident happened at Hotel Presidential in the oil-rich city. He said it happened just as the Ooni was called to the podium to give a vote of thanks. “The bodyguard of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, in what seemed to be an errand message, pushed Oluwo at the public gathering of the first-class paramount rulers held at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State last Tuesday,” Akanbi said in a statement. “Dignitaries at the event were taken aback by what they considered as a desecration of the crown as the bodyguard of the Ooni pushed a first-class paramount ruler, Oluwo. But the Ooni denied the allegation in a statement that the director of public affairs at his palace, Moses Olafare, issued on his behalf. Ogunwunsi described the claims of the Oluwo as untrue, saying, “There was no altercation between Oluwo and anybody at that venue at all.”

Army Headquarters Denies Reports Of Chief Of Army Staff’s Death

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  The Nigerian Army has categorically dismissed speculations claiming that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has died, labeling the reports as fake news. The headquarter via its official X handle, @HQNigerianArmy, dismissed an online report that circulated on Sunday, stating, “Chief of Army Staff dies of cancer.” The report claimed that Lt. Gen. Lagbaja passed away in an undisclosed hospital overseas nearly 48 hours ago due to stage three cancer, according to a senior government official. Furthermore, the report alleged that the news of the Chief of Army Staff’s death had been kept secret due to intense lobbying by some Army Generals seeking to assume his position. Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023 as the 27th Chief of Army Staff. The Army Headquarters continues to assert the importance of accurate information and has urged the public to disregard any unverified reports regarding the health or status of its leadership. Presidency reacts Also reacting, Special Adviser Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga via his X Platform dismissed the alleged death of Lagbaja. He said: “Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu has dismissed fake reports about the chief of army staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja. “To be very clear, the Nigerian Army is a highly structured establishment with well-laid-out procedures and processes for dealing with different circumstances. Before proceeding on leave, necessary protocols were put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS while he is away,”.

Asylum: UK Deports 44 Ghanaians, Nigerians In Single Flight

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  In a record-breaking deportation flight, 44 Nigerians and Ghanaians were forcibly removed from the UK on Friday, marking a significant surge in immigration enforcement. According to The Guardian.com/uk The Home Office confirmed the action as part of a broader crackdown on immigration, which has seen the deportation of over 3,600 people since the Labour government came to power in July. This comes as news emerges that asylum seekers arriving at Diego Garcia, a UK-administered island, before the finalization of a treaty between the UK and Mauritius will be relocated to Saint Helena, a British territory in the Atlantic. This comes as news emerges that asylum seekers arriving at Diego Garcia, a UK-administered island, before the finalization of a treaty between the UK and Mauritius will be relocated to Saint Helena, a British territory in the Atlantic. The Chagos Islands treaty, expected to be signed next year, will not apply to around 60 Tamils who have been stranded on Diego Garcia since 2021 and are pursuing legal action over their detention. While the number of asylum seekers arriving at Diego Garcia has been in the hundreds, it pales in comparison to the tens of thousands who have crossed the English Channel in small boats from northern France in recent years. Just on Friday, 647 individuals made the perilous crossing in 10 boats, pushing the total for the year beyond 28,000. Deportation flights to Nigeria and Ghana have been relatively rare, with only four recorded since 2020, and prior flights carrying significantly fewer individuals—ranging from six to 21 people. The recent flight, which saw 44 deportees, more than doubled the numbers seen in previous removals. In a record-breaking deportation flight, 44 Nigerians and Ghanaians were forcibly removed from the UK on Friday, marking a significant surge in immigration enforcement. According to The Guardian.com/uk The Home Office confirmed the action as part of a broader crackdown on immigration, which has seen the deportation of over 3,600 people since the Labour government came to power in July. This comes as news emerges that asylum seekers arriving at Diego Garcia, a UK-administered island, before the finalization of a treaty between the UK and Mauritius will be relocated to Saint Helena, a British territory in the Atlantic. The Chagos Islands treaty, expected to be signed next year, will not apply to around 60 Tamils who have been stranded on Diego Garcia since 2021 and are pursuing legal action over their detention. While the number of asylum seekers arriving at Diego Garcia has been in the hundreds, it pales in comparison to the tens of thousands who have crossed the English Channel in small boats from northern France in recent years. Just on Friday, 647 individuals made the perilous crossing in 10 boats, pushing the total for the year beyond 28,000. Deportation flights to Nigeria and Ghana have been relatively rare, with only four recorded since 2020, and prior flights carrying significantly fewer individuals—ranging from six to 21 people. The recent flight, which saw 44 deportees, more than doubled the numbers seen in previous removals. The Guardian interviewed four Nigerian men held at Brook House immigration removal centre near Gatwick before their deportation. One of them, who had been in the UK for 15 years seeking asylum, expressed his distress: “I have no criminal record, but the Home Office has refused my claim.” Another man revealed he had been a victim of trafficking and bore torture scars, yet his asylum claim had also been rejected. Fizza Qureshi, the chief executive of Migrants’ Rights Network, condemned the deportations, citing the speed, secrecy, and lack of legal support. She quoted a detainee who said, “The Home Office is playing politics with people’s lives. We have not done anything wrong other than cry for help.” A Home Office spokesperson defended the move, stating that the government is committed to enforcing immigration rules and ensuring that people without legal rights to remain in the UK are returned.  

ENDSARS Anniversary: Police Fire Tear Gas To Disperse Protesters At Lekki Toll Gate

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    Officers of the Lagos State Police Command have fired teargas to disperse protesters rallying to mark the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protest. Videos seen on Sunday morning showed protesters fleeing as the police fired shots. The protesters had converged around 8:30 am at the toll gate with several banners and placards, calling for the full implementation of the reports submitted by various judicial panels of inquiry set up after the 2020 protests. In October 2020, thousands of youths gathered in major cities acro css the country to protest against the constant harassment, killings, and extortion by officers of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit of the Nigerian police. The protest culminated at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, where several youths were reportedly killed and many others severely injured following the intervention of the Nigerian military. In the aftermath of the protests, judicial panels were established across various states to assess and review the protesters’ demands. However, almost four years later, protest leaders have expressed deep regret that many of the panels’ recommendations remain unimplemented. Speaking on Sunday, one of the protesters, identified simply as Excel, said he fell into the gutter while running from the teargas fired by the officers. “They have started firing teargas at us. I fell into the gutter; I was hit on the head,” he told PUNCH Online. Another protester, Bayo Are, said, “I was hit too. I’m not really injured, just a few scratches on my body. Some people have also been arrested.” When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that there was no confrontation, but the police had to disperse the protesters to prevent traffic disruption at the Lekki Toll Gate. “They were told to disperse, but they were adamant; we had to use minimal force to disperse them,” Hundeyin said.

Ogbomoso Residents Protest, Issue One-Month Ultimatum to Federal Government Over Poor Road Conditions

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  Scores of Ogbomoso residents took to the streets on Saturday morning to stage a peaceful protest, drawing attention to the deplorable state of the Ogbomoso-Oyo road. The protesters expressed their frustration over the long-standing neglect of the road, which has caused significant gridlock in recent months. The protest comes just a day after the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye (Soun Orumogege III), announced the commencement of temporary repairs on the road. However, the youths insisted that the government must take immediate and decisive action to permanently fix the road. During the demonstration, the protesters carried placards and banners with various inscriptions, calling on the federal government to expedite the road’s rehabilitation. The youth leaders issued a 30-day ultimatum, demanding that the road be fully repaired. They warned that if the government fails to act within the given timeframe, they would block the road for seven days in protest.

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