Home Blog

IPMAN Celebrates Gov. Mbah At 54, Pledges Support For His Re-election

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has congratulated Peter Mbah, Governor of Enugu State, on the occasion of his 54th birthday, while also assuring him of the association’s support toward his future political aspirations.

The Chairman of the IPMAN Enugu Depot Unit, Chinedu Anyaso, conveyed the congratulatory message in a statement issued to journalists in Enugu on Monday.

Anyaso said members of IPMAN and other stakeholders in the petroleum industry were proud of the governor’s achievements, noting that Mbah, who has roots in the petroleum sector, has demonstrated exemplary leadership and people-centred governance.

He described the governor as a transformational leader whose administration has implemented impactful policies, programmes and infrastructure projects that are improving development and positioning the state for greater recognition.

The IPMAN chairman also urged the governor to sustain the technology-driven security initiatives introduced by his administration, noting that the measures have significantly improved safety and boosted business activities across the state.

According to him, the association recognises the government’s progress in several sectors, including education, healthcare, technological innovation, youth empowerment, skills development, environmental management, and the upgrading of transportation infrastructure.

Anyaso further prayed for continued success and good health for the governor as he marks another year.

“On behalf of all members of the IPMAN Enugu Depot Unit, we wish you a happy and fulfilling 54th birthday. We pray that God grants you many more years in good health, wisdom and grace,” he said.

He also reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting the governor, expressing confidence in his leadership and vision for the continued development of Enugu State.

Anyaso concluded by wishing the governor well and describing the current administration as a new era of progress for the people of the state.

Google search engine

Navy Arrests Suspected Military Impersonators, Transfers Case To Police

The Nigerian Navy has handed over two men suspected of impersonating military personnel to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The suspects, identified as David Novert Aleji and Francis Gideon Isaac, were arrested on March 10, 2026, by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship Victory in Calabar.

They were reportedly found wearing military camouflage uniforms and carrying fake identification cards.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Aleji allegedly posed as a Lieutenant in the Nigerian Navy, while Isaac claimed to be a Midshipman serving on Nigerian Navy Ship Sagbama.

During a search of their residence, naval officers reportedly recovered additional military items, including a jungle hat and boots believed to have been used to support their impersonation.

Authorities said Aleji, who allegedly masterminded the scheme, had previously received training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron. Investigators also believe he recruited Isaac, who had been staying with him.

Both suspects reportedly confessed to purchasing the camouflage vest, jungle hat, and boots, and producing the fake military identification cards.

After their arrest, the suspects were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department of the police in Calabar for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy has continued its operations against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering under Operation Delta Sentinel.

As part of the operation, naval personnel destroyed an illegal crude oil storage site within the Forward Operating Base area in Bonny, Rivers State.

According to the Director of Naval Information, A. A. Folorunsho, the illegal facility was discovered through maritime surveillance technology in the Opotumbi area.

Naval operatives found four concealed dugout pits containing about 17,500 litres of substances suspected to be stolen crude oil.

He said the products were destroyed in line with operational guidelines, noting that the action reflects the navy’s continued efforts to combat maritime crime, crude oil theft, and protect Nigeria’s economic interests.

Google search engine

Group Warns Tinubu Against Expanding Petrol Import Approvals

A civil society organisation, Energy Transparency and Market Justice Initiative (ETMJI), has cautioned that continued approvals for petrol importation could weaken Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its domestic refining capacity.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the group warned that permits granted by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) might produce unintended economic consequences if not carefully managed.

President of the organisation, Salako Kareem, said Nigeria is currently at a critical stage in its energy development, noting that policy decisions taken now will determine whether the country can finally reduce its long-standing dependence on imported refined petroleum products.

Kareem acknowledged the responsibility of regulators to maintain adequate fuel supply but stressed that increasing import approvals at this point could undermine efforts to encourage investment in local refining and strengthen the nation’s petroleum sector.

He appealed to Bola Ahmed Tinubu to carefully consider the long-term economic implications of policies related to petrol importation.

According to him, Nigeria has struggled for decades with the contradiction of being a major crude oil producer while still relying heavily on imported refined petroleum products.

He warned that policies that significantly expand imports could slow the progress being made toward building stronger domestic refining capacity.

Kareem also noted that higher petrol imports could increase pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, particularly as the government pursues economic reforms aimed at stabilising the national currency and improving fiscal discipline.

He explained that large-scale importation of petroleum products historically drains significant foreign exchange resources that could otherwise be conserved if refining is done locally.

The group further warned that excessive reliance on imported petrol may open the door to the dumping of substandard fuel into the Nigerian market.

According to Kareem, the downstream petroleum sector has previously faced quality control challenges whenever importation becomes widespread, largely because imported fuel often passes through several intermediaries before reaching domestic depots.

He said such situations could expose consumers to inferior fuel products capable of damaging vehicles, affecting industrial equipment, and creating hidden economic costs for the country.

Kareem added that strengthening domestic refining and local supply chains would improve product monitoring, enhance transparency, and ensure better quality control within Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market.

However, he clarified that the group’s position should not be seen as criticism of the regulator, noting that agencies like the NMDPRA often face complex decisions in maintaining fuel supply in a volatile global energy environment.

He emphasised that while ensuring steady fuel supply remains important, short-term solutions should not undermine Nigeria’s long-term goal of building a sustainable and self-reliant petroleum industry.

Google search engine

Abuja Varsity Bans Smartphones On Campus, Matriculates 272 Students

Students of Margaret Lawrence University in Abuja will no longer be allowed to use smartphones on campus following a new policy aimed at reducing distractions and encouraging greater concentration on academic activities.

The announcement was made by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Ernest Izevbigie, during the institution’s third matriculation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic session.

A total of 272 students were officially admitted during the event, which was held physically at the Abuja main campus and virtually for students at the Delta campus.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the decision to ban smartphones was taken to help students remain focused on their studies, as such devices often distract learners during academic work.

He explained that students would still be allowed to use basic mobile phones for calls and text messages, but smartphones with internet access would not be permitted.

Prof. Izevbigie also warned that students who violate the rule could face disciplinary action. First-time offenders risk a two-week suspension, with stricter penalties for repeated violations.

He emphasized that limiting smartphone use would allow students to concentrate better on their education and avoid unnecessary online distractions while on campus.

Speaking at the event, the university’s Founder and Pro-Chancellor, Paul Odili, encouraged the newly admitted students to remain disciplined and committed to their studies.

He urged them to make the most of the opportunities available to them at the institution and to focus on developing knowledge, critical thinking skills, and strong character for future careers.

Also present at the ceremony was former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Abubakar Rasheed, who praised the university for establishing a teaching hospital within three years of its founding.

He described the achievement as remarkable, noting that many older universities in Nigeria took much longer to build similar facilities.

He added that the development demonstrates the institution’s strong commitment to advancing medical education, research, and healthcare training.

Google search engine

Petrol Price Hike: NLC Demands Cost-of-Living Allowance, Tax Relief Amid Middle East Crisis

 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to provide a cost-of-living allowance and tax relief for workers, to help mitigate the impact of rising petrol prices caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict.

In a statement titled “Save Nigerians From This Shock: An Urgent Relief Has Become Necessary,” signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the labour union said the fuel price surge has intensified economic hardship for Nigerian workers and households.

The NLC’s demands include:
Immediate wage award and cost-of-living allowance (COLA) for all workers.

Expansion and overhaul of the Cash Transfer programme to ensure transparency and adequate inflation-adjusted support for vulnerable citizens.
Immediate tax relief for workers, including suspension of regressive taxes on low-income earners and taxing the informal sector fairly.

The union criticized the government for leaving Nigerians exposed to volatile global oil markets, worsened by the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict. It highlighted that domestic refineries have failed to shield citizens from price shocks, despite billions spent on turnaround maintenance.

“The military escalation abroad has sent shock waves through global oil markets. Petrol prices in Nigeria have surged to between N1,170 and N1,300 per litre. Meanwhile, the working class bears the brunt of this global crisis,” the statement said.
Impact on Nigeria’s Petroleum Sector.

The NLC warned that Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector is fragile, with local refining unable to stabilize prices.

The Dangote Refinery’s pricing, aligned with global crude rates, has passed costs directly to consumers, undermining claims that domestic production guarantees stability.

The union urged the government to fully rehabilitate the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries and invest the expected N30 trillion windfall from the Middle East crisis into social programmes for Nigerians.

Following the crisis, Dangote Refinery adjusted petrol prices multiple times in March 2026:
March 2: N774 → N874 per litre
Four days later: N995 per litre
Subsequent rise: N1,175 per litre
Brief reduction due to falling crude prices: N1,075 per litre
Price reinstated to N1,175 per litre amid renewed global crude surge

Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), said the fluctuation will continue as long as the Middle East conflict persists.

He warned that petrol could reach N2,000 per litre if the war continues.
Gillis-Harry also urged the government to establish a domestic energy bank to provide funding for energy-related businesses, citing lack of support from commercial banks.

Google search engine

385 Applicants Cleared In Ongoing Police Constable Recruitment As Enugu CP Inspects Screening Centre

A total of 385 applicants from Enugu State have been successfully screened in the ongoing nationwide recruitment exercise for 50,000 General Duty and Specialist Police Constables in the Nigeria Police Force.

The exercise is currently taking place at the Enugu State screening centre.

The development was confirmed in a statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE on Monday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, and follows the commencement of the exercise on March 9, 2026, at the Senior Police Officers’ Mess, Agbani Road, Enugu.

Applicants from various Local Government Areas in the state have been screened according to their scheduled portal-assigned dates.

The Commissioner of Police for Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa personally inspected the screening centre.

During the visit, he assessed the ongoing process and interacted with both officials and applicants, emphasizing the importance of transparency, fairness, and strict adherence to the established procedures.

CP Giwa also urged applicants to remain disciplined and compliant with all screening requirements, noting that the exercise is a key opportunity for qualified individuals to serve the nation through the Nigeria Police Force.

The joint screening is being conducted by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with the Police Service Commission, as part of the nation’s broader effort to strengthen its law enforcement capacity.

This milestone in Enugu marks steady progress in the nationwide recruitment initiative, reflecting the police command’s commitment to a transparent and efficient selection process.

Google search engine

US Secret Service Begins Major Recruitment With $75,000 Incentive For New Officers

The United States Secret Service has opened applications for its Uniformed Division, offering successful candidates a recruitment bonus of up to $75,000.

The agency shared the notice on its official X account on Monday, detailing eligibility requirements and responsibilities for prospective officers.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens aged 20 to 40, hold a valid driver’s licence, pass medical and background checks, and be eligible for a Top Secret security clearance. Citizenship may be by birth, through U.S. citizen parents, or via naturalisation.

Uniformed Division officers are responsible for protecting key government sites, including the White House, the Vice President’s residence at the United States Naval Observatory, the Department of the Treasury, and foreign diplomatic missions in Washington, D.C.

They also support protective operations for the President, Vice President, and visiting foreign dignitaries, and may serve in specialised units such as Counter Sniper teams, Emergency Response teams, and K-9 units.

The recruitment process includes entrance exams, interviews, background checks, and physical fitness tests.

Selected candidates will complete 13 weeks of training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, followed by 18 weeks of specialised training at the James J. Rowley Training Center in Maryland.

The $75,000 incentive will be distributed in instalments over four years, contingent on successful completion of training and continued service.

New recruits can expect annual salaries ranging from $77,987 to $134,165, depending on experience and career advancement, as the Secret Service seeks to strengthen its workforce tasked with safeguarding U.S. government facilities and national leaders.

Google search engine

2027: ADC Alleges Plot To Make Tinubu Sole Presidential Candidate

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that powerful figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are working behind the scenes to ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu becomes the only presidential candidate in the 2027 general election.

The opposition party said it would strongly oppose any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process, insisting that competitive elections must be protected.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, claimed that the alleged plot involves efforts to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into recognising Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former member who was expelled from the party, as the ADC’s National Chairman.

According to Abdullahi, the move is intended to create internal confusion within the party and weaken its position as an opposition platform.

The ADC maintained that there is no leadership dispute within the party, stressing that its structure is firmly under the leadership of Senator David Mark.

The party said this arrangement followed a joint meeting of its National Working Committee and National Executive Committee held in July 2025, which was observed by officials of the electoral commission.

The party further alleged that the attempt to destabilise it ahead of the 2027 elections is being driven by a serving APC governor alongside a senior security official based in Abuja.

Abdullahi said Nafiu Bala Gombe, who once claimed to be the party’s Deputy National Chairman under former chairman Ralph Nwosu, was expelled for actions that violated the party’s constitution and leadership decisions.

He described the alleged plan to use Gombe to claim leadership of the party as a strategy aimed at weakening the ADC and disrupting the opposition landscape before the next general election.

The party also noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission formally recognised the leadership of Senator David Mark in September 2025.

It added that on March 6, a Federal High Court dismissed a case challenging Mark’s leadership, reinforcing an earlier Supreme Court position that the leadership of political parties is strictly an internal matter.

The ADC warned that attempts by the ruling establishment to interfere with opposition parties could threaten Nigeria’s democratic system and reduce political competition.

The party called on its members, supporters, and the public to ignore claims by Nafiu Bala Gombe and those supporting him, while reaffirming its commitment to defending democratic principles in the country.

Google search engine

Several Passengers Injured In Abuja–Kaduna Train Incident

Several passengers sustained injuries on Monday morning after a train incident occurred along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor near Asham Train Station.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, confirmed the development in a statement, noting that the incident happened at about 10:30 a.m.

According to him, the situation involved a rear locomotive that made contact with the passenger coach directly behind it due to a coupling fault.

Opeifa said passengers who sustained injuries were quickly attended to and taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.

He added that no deaths were recorded from the incident.

Emergency response procedures were immediately activated, while technical teams were deployed to the scene to assess the situation and address the mechanical issue.

He also disclosed that officials from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau had arrived at the site to conduct a full investigation in line with established railway safety protocols.

After the affected locomotive and coach were removed, the train resumed its journey and eventually arrived at the Idu Train Station at about 10:39 a.m., roughly 38 minutes later than scheduled.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation reassured passengers and the general public that safety remains its highest priority, adding that necessary measures are being implemented to prevent similar incidents and ensure the continued safe operation of train services.

The development comes amid growing concerns over recurring rail derailments in Nigeria, particularly along the Abuja–Kaduna route.

In 2025, the Nigerian Senate launched a nationwide probe into repeated rail system failures. The lawmakers resolved to set up an ad hoc committee chaired by Adams Oshiomhole to investigate the persistent derailments and examine the condition of rail infrastructure across the country.

The committee was also mandated to review loans obtained from China for railway development and determine whether the imported materials used in the sector meet required standards.

Lawmakers directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation to urgently address technical faults affecting the rail network and restore full operational efficiency to the country’s railway system.

Google search engine

Tinubu Swears In Taiwo Oyedele As Minister Of State For Finance

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially sworn in Taiwo Oyedele as Nigeria’s new Minister of State for Finance.

Oyedele took the oath of office before the President on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, formally assuming his role in the Federal Executive Council.

The President had nominated Oyedele for the position on March 3, 2026, replacing Doris Uzoka-Anite, who was reassigned as Minister of State for Budget and National Planning.

About a week after the nomination, the Nigerian Senate confirmed Oyedele as minister-designate following his screening at the upper chamber. Lawmakers approved his nomination through a voice vote at the Committee of the Whole after hours of deliberation.

During the screening, Oyedele described his appointment as a call to serve Nigeria at a critical moment, noting that the country faces both fiscal challenges and economic opportunities.

He highlighted his more than two decades of professional experience working with national governments, international organisations, and global corporations in areas related to fiscal governance and economic reform.

Prior to his appointment, Oyedele served as chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

Under his leadership, the committee proposed major tax reform initiatives that resulted in four significant legislative bills, including the Nigeria Tax Bill and the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, which were later passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Tinubu in June 2025.

A public policy expert, economist, and accountant, Oyedele previously worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he served as Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader after beginning his career with the firm in 2001.

His academic background includes a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy and Finance from Yaba College of Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University.

He has also undertaken executive education programmes at institutions such as London School of Economics, Yale University, Gordon Institute of Business Science, and Harvard Kennedy School.
In addition to his professional career, Oyedele serves as a professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and is a visiting scholar at Lagos Business School.

With his swearing-in completed, Oyedele is expected to play a key role in shaping Nigeria’s fiscal and economic policies under the Tinubu administration.

Google search engine

MOST COMMENTED

- Advertisement -
Google search engine