The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), says the Trans-Kalabari Road Project serves as one strategic effort at addressing the associated socioeconomic difficulties experienced by residents in the riverine communities.
Ibas remarked when he embarked on an inspection tour to the site of the ongoing Trans-Kalabari Road Project in Rumuolumeni Community and the Permanent Secretaries ‘ Quarters in Rumuokwurushi Community, all in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Monday.
The administrator said the projects must be completed because it will contribute immensely to boosting the socio-economic status of Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.
He said, “We are also very much aware of the very difficult, challenging terrain around here, in terms of communication, and communicating between communities. This project, when completed, I think, will boost the socio-economic life of the state and the nation as a whole.
” We are hoping and imploring the contractors to make sure they keep to the timelines. I think the state government has been able to meet its obligation in terms of making available resources for them. So we are counting on them to keep to the completion time. “
At the Civil Servants Quarters designated for Permanent Secretaries, the ex-naval chief pointed to some challenges experienced by civil servants who need comfortable housing facilities to enable them to perform better at the workplace.
Ibas said”, I have civil servants who have challenges with their accommodation. We have been out there to see how far the project is going and I think I was also assured that the accommodation will be delivered on time so that those who require them will be able to settle down to do their work. “
The 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State, Chijioke Edeoga, has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Edeoga had met with the leadership of Enugu State PDP behind closed doors on January 31, fueling speculations about his possible return to his former party.
However, at about 12noon on Monday, Edeoga, accompanied by his supporters, drove into the PDP State office at No. 1 Charles Street, GRA, Enugu, in a convoy and was received by the state party leadership and stakeholders led by the Chairman, Martins Chukwunweike.
Addressing party faithful, Edeoga thanked Governor Peter Mbah and his Eha-Amufu Ward III, Isi-Uzo LGA, and state party leaderships for making his return possible and smooth.
Rededicating himself to the PDP, the former LP gubernatorial candidate, said it was time for all to join hands with Governor Mbah in the great work he is doing in Enugu State.
“I want to say that I’m happy to be here. I want to start by thanking in a very special way, the governor of Enugu State. I appreciate that what has happened today cannot be conceived without his political involvement.
” By this gesture, he has demonstrated a mental state that is worthy of appreciation and that is worthy of being supported or rewarded to the extent that is humanly possible.
“A thing like this has never happened in the annals of Enugu State politics. It might look small, but it will cause a paradigm shift in the way politics is played in Enugu State.
” It is no longer something where you warehouse bitterness. It is no longer winner takes all. All those things that people have been trying to preach in Nigeria like accommodating everybody, are being demonstrated in Enugu State.
“So, I rededicate myself again to the PDP to make sure that the PDP remains a winning machine in Enugu State as it has always been. I am happy to be here. I appreciate all those who made it possible”, he stated.
In his remarks, Chukwunweike described Edeoga’s return as strategic for Enugu PDP, and also had the full blessing of Governor Peter Mbah, whom he said desired a united Enugu PDP.
“Our number one term of reference upon our election as the state’s party leadership is to reunite the party. His Excellency said that we must work to bring everybody together. So, today is a major step in that direction.
” With this move and many others like it to come, 2027 general elections will be a walkover for the PDP in Enugu State. So, we warmly welcome our brother and his supporters back, “he said.
Council Chairman of Isi-Uzo, Edeoga’s home LGA, Obiora Obeagu, described his return as a very welcome development and a milestone for Isi-Uzo and Enugu PDP, an affirmation of Mbah’s leadership, and vindication of those of them who worked for the governor’s victory in the 2023 election.
” It is a welcome development. For me, I will say it is long expected, considering the conciliatory dispositions of our capable governor.
“From day one, the governor has shown that after politics, we have governance. Not minding that the major opposition came from Isi-Uzo, Governor Peter Mbah started a lot of projects there. When the Smart Schools were first awarded, Isi-Uzo got the next to the highest. That will show you the type of leader he is.
” Beyond the Smart Green Schools, we have Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across all the wards. We have the almost completed 21.7km asphalt road going to our farm settlements as well as the ongoing 41km Owo-Ubahu-Amankanu-Neke-Ikem dual carriageway to help open up the economic corridors and solve the problem of insecurity.
“These things are practical and there is nobody that will see them and will not want to come back to the PDP and join the governor in the good works he is doing to transform Enugu State.
Filling stations in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital city, have increased the price of a litre of petrol from ₦860 to ₦930, making consumers pay at least ₦70 more than what it used to cost them to buy a litre of the premium commodity days ago.
The price increase has also become effective in parts of the country like Abuja and major northern cities with oil outlets now selling a litre of petrol between ₦950 to ₦970, depending on the filling stations. This represented a sharp increase of about ₦70 to ₦90 from the initial price of ₦880 last week.
Our correspondents in Lagos and Abuja observed that filling stations like MRS Oil &, Gas, Ardova Plc, Heyden, and others with special agreements with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery have adjusted their pumps to the new price.
Petrol stations like Matrix Energy, North-West Petroleum, Total Energies, Mobil, Bovas, Enyo, amongst others also followed suit.
RELATED: Petrol Will Rise Above ₦1, 000 If NNPCL, Dangote End Price War – Alaje
The new price regime followed an announcement by Dangote Refinery temporarily halting the sale of petroleum products in Naira.
Tankers lift petrol from Dangote Refinery on September 15, 2024 in Lagos
“This decision is necessary to avoid a mismatch between our sales proceeds and our crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently denominated in US dollars”, the company said in a statement earlier in March 2025.
The $20bn refinery based in Lagos said the sales of its products in Naira have exceeded the value of Naira-denominated crude it has received from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
“As a result, we must temporarily adjust our sales currency to align with our crude procurement currency”, the company explained.
READ ALSO: Petrol Production At Dangote Refinery Affecting European Market — OPEC
The refinery said it remained committed to serving the Nigerian market and would resume the sale of its product to the local market in Naira as soon as it received crude cargoes from the NNPCL in Naira.
FILE: People wait to refill their jerrycans and fuel tanks at a fuel station in Lagos on September 4, 2024. (Photo by FAWAZ OYEDEJI / AFP)
The announcement by the refinery came amid its price war with the NNPCL.
On February 26, 2025, the $20bn refinery owned by Africa’s richest man and industrialist Aliko Dangote, slashed the ex-depot price of petrol from ₦890 to ₦825 per litre.
Under the new arrangement, customers purchase the premium commodity at ₦860 per litre at selected outlets in Lagos, ₦870 in the South-West, ₦880 in the North, and ₦890 in the South-South and South-East. Dangote has also reduced the price of diesel in recent times.
Almost immediately, the NNPCL reduced its retail price from ₦945 to ₦860 in Lagos, with a similar price reduction reflection at NNPCL outlets in other states of the Federation.
The Dangote Refinery was commissioned in May 2023.
Some analysts and industry experts have hailed the price war, saying it will “erode abnormal profit” enjoyed by capitalists but petrol marketers who still import the premium commodity have lamented the loss they incurred as a result of the sudden price drop.
As part of moves to reduce the strain on the US dollars, and guarantee price stability of petroleum products, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in July 2024, directed the NNPCL to sell crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries in naira and not in United States ‘ greenback.
A man exchanges Nigeria’s currency Naira for US dollars in Lagos, Nigeria (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI – AFP)
In March 2025, the NNPCL said its Naira-denominated crude sales agreement with the Dangote Refinery was structured for six months with March 2025 as the expiration date.
The state company, however, said that talks were on to replace the contract and that over 48 million barrels of crude oil have been made available to Dangote Refinery since October 2024 under the Naira-denominated arrangement.
FILES: NNPCL Boss Mele Kyari and NNPCL logo
The NNPCL also said it had made over 84 million barrels of crude oil available to the private refinery since it commenced operations in 2023.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, faces energy challenges, with all its state-owned refineries non-operational for decades until 2024. The country was heavily reliant on imported refined petroleum products, with the state-run NNPCL being the major importer of the essential commodities.
The Port Harcourt Refinery is one of the state-owned plants which recently came back on stream.
Fuel queues are commonplace in the country. Prices of petrol more than quadrupled since the removal of subsidy in May 2023 by President Bola Tinubu, from around ₦200/litre to about ₦1, 000/litre, compounding the woes of the citizens who power their vehicles, and generating sets with petrol, no thanks to decades-long epileptic electricity supply.
From January to date this year, mass bandits and terrorists, including their top commanders as well as their logistics suppliers, have been neutralised in the region.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, on Monday assured troops in the North-West that their welfare and well-being remain his top priority.
He restated his commitment to provide them with the necessary equipment, training, and support to achieve more excellence in their duties.
The Chief of Air Staff disclosed this in Katsina State during the Eid-El-Fitr Lunchon with the gallant officers and men of Operation Fansan Yamma Sector 2, held at the Sports Complex of the 213 Operating Base, Nigerian Air Force, Katsina.
Air Marshal Abubakar, represented by the Air Officer, Commanding Special Operations Command, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Usman Kandi Abdullahi explained that the event provides the opportunity to reflect the values of love, sacrifice, and generosity beside honoring the unwavering resilience and dedication of the Air Men.
According to Abdullahi, the Nigerian Air Force has recorded significant successes in the recent operations through relentless commitment and professionalism.
He, therefore, acknowledged their tireless sacrifices in the day and night in safeguarding the nation, urging them to continue to remember the fallen heroes who have paid the supreme price in the line of duty.
“I want to reassure you that your welfare and well-being remain our top priority, and I am committed to providing you with the necessary equipment, training, and support to achieve more excellence in your duties”, he noted.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander 213 Operating Base, Nigerian Air Force, Katsina, Air Commodore Ibrahim Garba Jibia announced that the Sallah Luncheon was organized to boost the morale of Frontline troops who have been working round the clock to secure the nation.
He said the Nigerian Air Force, through the Air Component, has continued to carry out its mandate in the North-West by providing timely and effective air support to the ground forces, enhancing troops mobility, ease of deployment, providing necessary support for ground operations among other roles.
Jibia noted that the relentless effort of the Air Component Operation has resulted in the unprecedented obliteration of mass bandits and terrorists, including their top commanders as well as their logistics suppliers in the Northwest region, especially from January this year to date.
Representatives of the Katsina State Governor, security heads, NAF officers wives association, senior officers, officers, and men attended the occasion.
President Bola Tinubu has approved an extension of Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap’s tenure as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) through December 31, 2026.
This was contained in a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday.
Tinubu appointed Nandap as Comptroller-General on March 1, 2024, to serve till August 31, 2025.
READ ALSO:  , Tinubu Appoints Oloriegbe As Chairman Of NHIA
“Under her leadership, the Nigeria Immigration Service has witnessed significant advancements in its core mandate, with notable improvements in border management, modernisation of immigration processes and national security measures.
” President Tinubu commended the Comptroller-General for her exemplary leadership and urged her to continue dedicating herself to the Service’s strategic priorities, which align with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, “the statement said.
It added that the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the Nigeria Immigration Service in fulfilling its mandate to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and promote safe, legal, and orderly migration.
