NiMet Warns Nigerians To Brace For Heavy Rainfall And Flash Floods

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a fresh weather alert predicting heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across several parts of the country from Monday to Wednesday, with warnings of possible flash floods in northern and central states. In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, NiMet forecasted early morning thunderstorms and moderate rainfall over Jigawa, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Yobe, and Katsina on Monday, while Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba would likely experience rains later in the day. “Flash floods are possible in Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano States during this period,” the agency warned. For central states such as Niger, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, and Nasarawa, NiMet predicted cloudy skies with light to moderate rainfall, cautioning that parts of Plateau may experience significant flooding. In the southern region, light to moderate rains are expected in Ondo, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom. The agency also forecast that northern states will experience a mix of sunshine and cloud cover on Tuesday, while thunderstorms and rainfall will persist in Adamawa, Taraba, and nearby areas. “Central and southern regions will continue to witness moderate rainfall,” NiMet stated. By Wednesday, northern states are expected to see morning sunshine followed by isolated thunderstorms, while cloudy skies and moderate rainfall will dominate central areas. In the South, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River are forecast to experience morning showers and heavier rain later in the day. NiMet urged residents in flood-prone zones to stay alert, avoid driving during heavy downpours, and secure belongings against strong winds. The agency also advised the public to disconnect electrical appliances during storms and avoid sheltering under trees. For flight safety, NiMet encouraged airlines to rely on up-to-date, airport-specific weather reports. The agency added that more detailed updates and forecasts could be accessed through its official website, www.nimet.gov.ng.  

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Cooking Gas Price Jumps to N25,000 as Supply Disruptions Hit

The cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas, has surged to N25,000 this week, up from N17,500 last week. Mr. Bassey Essien, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), told Vanguard that the spike was due to supply disruptions caused by the recent industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). “Dangote Petroleum Refinery is currently the largest local supplier of cooking gas in Nigeria. The PENGASSAN strike disrupted distribution, leaving many dealers unable to replenish their stocks,” Essien explained. “What we are seeing is a result of demand exceeding supply, but supply should stabilize in the coming days now that the dispute is being resolved.” Vanguard checks revealed that several gas plants in Lagos and surrounding areas were shut down due to shortages, forcing consumers to move from one outlet to another in search of LPG. Recently, Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, disclosed that the refinery is currently producing 2,000 tonnes of LPG per day, with plans to further increase output to meet national demand. Dangote also emphasized the need to transition Nigerians from firewood and kerosene to LPG for cooking. “If distributors are not making LPG affordable and accessible, we’ll sell directly to consumers to ensure more households can switch to clean energy,” Dangote said, noting concerns over Nigeria’s energy poverty. Before the Dangote Refinery ramped up production, the nation’s LPG demand was primarily met by NLNG Limited. In a recent statement, NLNG reiterated its commitment to providing clean and reliable energy to Nigerian homes through its Domestic LPG (DLPG) scheme, which has been supplying cooking gas since 2007.  

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Portable Breaks Silence on Wild Port Harcourt Airport Fight, Calls It a “Death Prank”

Nigerian singer Portable has broken his silence over the viral video showing his confrontation at Port Harcourt International Airport, describing the incident as a prank that nearly got out of hand. “Those people came to prank me. They were death pranksters. It almost turned to cultist level. 10 yellow can’t stand one blue,” Portable said, suggesting the situation could have escalated dangerously. He also criticized people who are quick to share videos of his negative moments, accusing them of spreading misinformation and damaging his reputation. The airport incident, which involved allegations of “juju” (black magic), quickly went viral and sparked mixed reactions online, with some fans expressing concern while others viewed it as another example of Portable’s controversial public persona.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by WALE BIZZ (@walebizz)

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France’s Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu Resigns Just Hours After Cabinet Reveal

France’s Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has stepped down less than a day after announcing his new cabinet, the Élysée Palace confirmed following a one-hour meeting with President Emmanuel Macron on Monday morning. The resignation comes only 26 days after Lecornu was appointed to replace François Bayrou, whose government fell amid political turmoil. Lecornu’s cabinet, largely unchanged from Bayrou’s, faced heavy criticism from parties across the National Assembly, with many threatening to reject it. The political instability has fueled calls for early elections, and some opposition figures are even demanding Macron resign, though the president has maintained he will complete his term in 2027. “Macron needs to choose: dissolution of parliament or resignation,” said Sébastien Chenu, a prominent member of the far-right National Rally (RN). Lecornu, a former armed forces minister and close Macron ally, became France’s fifth prime minister in under two years, reflecting the country’s ongoing political instability. The turmoil traces back to July 2024, when snap parliamentary elections resulted in a hung parliament, making it difficult for any prime minister to secure support for legislation. Bayrou’s government collapsed in September after parliament rejected his austerity budget, which proposed €44bn ($51bn; £38bn) in spending cuts.  

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Oshiomhole Says Jonathan Has No Chance Against APC in 2027, Urges Him to Protect Legacy

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, has said former President Goodluck Jonathan would face an uphill battle if he decides to contest the 2027 presidential election against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Oshiomhole argued that Jonathan’s political influence in the South-South has weakened significantly since 2015, making it nearly impossible for him to mount a credible challenge. “We will defeat him flatly if he comes out because now, the South-South is no longer PDP, so where is he going to start from?” Oshiomhole said. The former Edo State governor added that only those who do not wish Jonathan well would encourage him to return to active politics, cautioning that doing so could tarnish his hard-earned legacy. “How can Jonathan be a threat? We defeated him before, when PDP was truly PDP. If a man had a PDP at its peak and was defeated, only his enemy would push him to contest again,” he stated. Oshiomhole urged Jonathan to maintain his status as a respected statesman rather than seek another term after already serving eight years. “If I were advising him, I would say, Sir, preserve this status. You governed for eight years; you don’t need to govern for nine. He has shown that you can remain relevant and at peace even out of power,” he said. He also commended Jonathan for his historic concession in the 2015 election, describing it as a move that enhanced his global reputation.

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VeryDarkMan Labels Bella Shmurda “Cursed,” Claims Singer’s Career Is Doomed

VeryDarkMan has reignited his feud with Bella Shmurda, calling the singer “cursed” and insisting he will never succeed in the music industry. The clash follows what VDM perceived as a jab from Bella Shmurda on Instagram, which he believes was intended to promote the singer’s latest album. VDM also slammed Bella Shmurda’s album, claiming it “flopped like his music career,” and accused him of using controversy to attract sympathy and streams. While stressing that he did not start the conflict, VeryDarkMan said he is prepared to settle the feud once and for all. Fans have reacted with mixed opinions, some criticizing VDM’s harsh words, while others see the back-and-forth as a strategic publicity stunt.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Martins vincent otse (@verydarkblackman)

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Kwara State Scraps PTA Fees, Rolls Out Free Textbooks and School Grants

The Kwara State Government has announced the end of Parents Teachers Association (PTA) levies in all public primary schools, replacing them with annual school grants to cover the running costs of the institutions. Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), made the announcement during the opening of bids for the 2024 (3rd and 4th quarters) UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects. “The Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved the stoppage of PTA payments across all public primary schools in the state, from Primary 1 to 6. There will be no more PTA levies in Kwara State,” Prof. Adaramaja said. He also revealed that the state government will provide English and Mathematics textbooks free of charge to all pupils in public primary schools. The intervention projects will include the construction of classroom blocks with offices and toilets, renovation and remodeling of classrooms, drilling of solar-powered boreholes with tank stands, rehabilitation of digital literacy centers, provision of foundation literacy materials, fabrication and distribution of two-seater pupils’ desks, and implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative in selected local government areas. Prof. Adaramaja added that Governor AbdulRazaq has approved the payment of 2025 counterpart funds for UBEC/SUBEB projects. He urged contractors handling the projects to strictly follow specifications, warning that shoddy work would not be tolerated. He commended the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hajiya Aisha Garba, and other stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the programme. Representing the bidders, Maroof Ahmed, Secretary of the Indigenous Contractors Association, thanked the government for the opportunity and promised that members would deliver high-quality projects on time.  

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Portable Lookalike Begs Singer Not to Endanger Him Over Performing Hits

A man who closely resembles Nigerian musician Portable has sparked concern after claiming the singer is threatening him for performing his hits at a recent show. The lookalike alleges that Portable is upset not only about him singing the songs without permission but also about collecting money from the performances. In a video that has circulated online, the man can be seen pleading with Portable, visibly anxious. “Please don’t kill me the way they killed Mohbad,” he says, referencing the late musician Mohbad. Known for imitating Portable’s distinctive style, hairstyle, and stage presence, the man’s resemblance may have further fueled the tension. His public appeal comes amid reports that Portable was unhappy with the performances and concerned about fans being misled by their striking similarity.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by WALE BIZZ (@walebizz)

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