Kamal Yalwa

Cooking Gas Prices May Ease as NLNG, Major Offtakers Intensify Supply

Consumers of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, may soon experience some relief as major offtakers with purchase agreements from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited have ramped up product loading to address recent shortages and price hikes. Findings by our correspondent revealed that NIPCO Gas and 11 Plc Gas resumed LPG offtake from the NLNG last Friday, with loading operations expected to intensify from Monday night to restore adequate distribution across the country. However, uncertainty still looms over how soon the market will stabilise, according to key operators in the LPG sector who spoke to our correspondent under condition of anonymity. A senior official of a major LPG marketing association disclosed that depot operators involved in LPG importation incurred heavy losses following the commencement of LPG production by the Dangote Refinery, which initially caused a price drop. He noted that the refinery was forced to suspend LPG production after a brief protest by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), adding that Dangote’s limited storage capacity for LPG further complicated supply. “The refinery focuses more on petrol and aviation fuel. So once production stopped, there was no buffer to sustain supply,” the source said. Another industry source revealed that normalisation of supply could take until the coming weekend.“LPG loading is not like petrol. We can’t load more than 25 trucks overnight because of safety protocols and documentation. But since loading has resumed, prices across Lagos and other Southwest states should start dropping soon,” the source explained. Meanwhile, several consumers have lamented the soaring cost of cooking gas.“My husband bought cooking gas at ₦2,000 per kilogramme,” one consumer told our correspondent.Another, who travelled from Agege to Ikeja to purchase gas, said: “In Agege, gas costs ₦2,500 per kilogramme. Here near Oba-Akran, it’s ₦1,500. Before now, it used to be ₦1,100.” Ajayi Abayomi, a senior official at a gas station in the Anifowoshe area of Oba-Akran, Ikeja, confirmed their current price of ₦1,500 per kilogramme, attributing the surge to supply disruptions. “There’s no other reason than limited supply,” he said. “The gas we’re selling now was diverted from our Port Harcourt operations to ensure our customers don’t run out. Normally, we source from Dangote Refinery or Apapa, but recent disruptions have made that difficult.” Abayomi also linked the hike to the PENGASSAN–Dangote Refinery dispute, which disrupted gas discharge operations in Apapa. “Once Dangote stopped selling, other suppliers increased prices. We just pass the cost to consumers,” he explained. LEADERSHIP recalls that in January 2022, NLNG committed to supplying 100 per cent of its Butane (cooking gas) and Propane production to the Nigerian domestic market to enhance availability and affordability. This commitment, part of the company’s Domestic LPG (DLPG) scheme, supports the federal government’s “Decade of Gas” initiative and reduces dependence on imported LPG. The NLNG remains Nigeria’s largest single supplier of LPG and has reaffirmed its collaboration with stakeholders to stabilise pricing and ensure long-term market sustainability.

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Adult Film Star Angela Dela Cruz Sparks Controversy as Pastor of San Diego Church

Adult Film Star Angela Dela Cruz Sparks Controversy as Pastor of San Diego Church

An adult film actress, Angela Dela Cruz, has ignited widespread debate after revealing that she also serves as a pastor of Living Faith Church, a new congregation in downtown San Diego. Angela and her husband, Stephen Dela Cruz, launched the church this summer, describing it as “a church for sinners by sinners.” The church’s website further proclaims that its leaders are “the biggest sinners, and this is the most non-judgmental church around.” Although the website does not list the pastors by name, the couple has openly shared their dual roles on social media.“Where else will you find an adult actress who is also a pastor?!” read a September 6 post on the church’s official Instagram page. The Dela Cruzes have also promoted events discussing their unconventional ministry. One invitation urged followers to “peek behind the curtain of Angela, an adult actress, and her husband, Stephen Dela Cruz, starting a church for sinners by sinners,” ending with a call to RSVP by texting “GOSSIP” to a dedicated number. Religious scholars react Religion researcher Scott Thumma, director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at Hartford Seminary, expressed astonishment at the development.“I’ve never heard of anything quite like this,” he told The Roys Report. Thumma, who reviewed the church’s statement of faith and watched several of its sermons, said its theology appeared evangelical and consistent with traditional Christian teachings about salvation through Christ.“It would seem incongruous with the possibility of also being a porn star,” he noted. “Even Jesus said to ‘go and sin no more.’” The Dela Cruzes’ background The couple did not respond to The Roys Report’s requests for comment. According to Stephen’s business website, he owns “over ten multimillion-dollar corporations” and works as an author and motivational speaker. Angela is listed as his co-founder and has an extensive acting and modeling background. Under a different stage name, Angela maintains an active online presence where she posts explicit content and promotes appearances at adult entertainment industry events. The website further states that both Angela and Stephen are ordained ministers who met while attending Bible college. Stephen’s LinkedIn profile indicates that he graduated from Bethany University, a now-defunct Assemblies of God institution that closed in 2011 due to financial difficulties and declining enrollment. A new kind of “church for sinners”? Living Faith Church continues to describe itself as a haven for those shunned by traditional congregations. Still, many within the broader Christian community question whether its message of radical inclusivity can coexist with leadership involved in the adult film industry. As the Dela Cruzes press forward with their “church for sinners,” their story has sparked heated discussions about morality, ministry, and the modern face of faith in America.

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Jonathan 2027 Suit an ‘Abuse of Court Process’ — SAN Oba Maduabuchi

Abuja, Oct. 8, 2025 — A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oba Maduabuchi, has described the recent suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to bar former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting in the 2027 presidential election as “an abuse of court process.” Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Maduabuchi argued that the matter had already been settled by a competent court in Yenagoa and could not be reopened before a court of coordinate jurisdiction. “An abuse of court process is when you want to relitigate a case or an issue that has already been settled by a court of competent jurisdiction,” he said. He explained that since the issue of Jonathan’s eligibility to contest for president had been decided in Yenagoa and no appeal had been filed against that judgment, it remains binding and valid. “Until that judgment is set aside, it remains what the law is. Anyone taking the same issue before another court is simply abusing the process,” the SAN added, describing such persons as “busy bodies.” Law Does Not Apply Retroactively Maduabuchi further noted that the law in force at the time of an action determines its legality, not laws enacted later. He questioned whether Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution — which limits presidents and governors who have completed another’s term from running twice — existed when Jonathan took the oath of office in 2010. “The law only came into effect in 2018. When Goodluck Jonathan took the oath of office, there was no statutory limitation that could inhibit him from running his constitutionally guaranteed two terms,” he explained. He likened attempts to apply the later amendment to Jonathan’s earlier tenure to punishing someone under a law that did not exist at the time of the alleged act. Maduabuchi illustrated his point with a judicial example: “Judges’ retirement age was once 65, later changed to 70. Would a judge who retired before the change go to court seeking reinstatement under the new law? Of course not. The law demands certainty.” He maintained that Section 137(3) was not in existence when Jonathan took his oaths in 2010 and 2011, stressing that “no pyrotechnic argument can breathe existence into a law that did not exist.” Court Precedent Backs Jonathan’s Eligibility The SAN also recalled a Court of Appeal decision that upheld Jonathan’s constitutional right to contest again, reiterating that no retrospective law could be applied to disqualify him. “The Federal Court of Appeal affirmed that Jonathan had the right to run. You cannot apply a law that was not in existence to his case,” he said. Maduabuchi’s comments come amid renewed debate over Jonathan’s potential candidacy in the 2027 elections and fresh legal moves aimed at blocking his eligibility.

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Relief for Nigerians as Dangote Refinery Slashes Cooking Gas Price to ₦760/kg

Lagos, Oct. 7, 2025 — In a development set to ease the financial burden on millions of households, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has once again reduced the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, to ₦760 per kilogram, down from ₦810 just a week ago. This latest cut marks the second major price reduction in less than a month, reinforcing Dangote’s position as a key player driving affordability and competition in Nigeria’s domestic energy market. Dangote Sets New Benchmark for Market Pricing With this adjustment, Dangote’s ex-depot price stands significantly below that of other major suppliers.Current market data shows: Matrix and Ardova depots sell at around ₦920/kg A.Y.M Shafa and NIPCO at ₦910/kg Stockgap Depot, one of the largest suppliers, sells for as high as ₦950/kg The ₦150–₦190 price gap per kilogram underscores Dangote’s growing influence in stabilizing energy prices and making LPG more affordable for consumers. Industry Experts Hail Move Energy experts have lauded the refinery’s strategy as a market-stabilizing intervention aimed at discouraging arbitrary price hikes by other players. They noted that the refinery’s decision aligns with its broader goal of deepening domestic energy supply, reducing reliance on imports, and supporting the federal government’s clean energy transition agenda. “By offering cheaper LPG, Dangote is setting a new benchmark that could force competitors to review their prices downward,” an industry analyst said. “It’s a positive disruption for consumers and for the entire gas value chain.” Consumers Welcome Price Reduction The price cut has sparked optimism among Nigerians, many of whom have struggled with soaring energy costs amid high inflation and a weakening naira. Consumers say they hope the new refinery price will reflect at retail outlets across the country, where gas prices often remain inflated despite depot-level reductions. Boost for Clean Energy Adoption Analysts also predict that if the price stability is sustained, more households may switch from firewood and charcoal to LPG, reducing environmental pollution and improving public health outcomes. The Dangote Refinery’s continued interventions, observers say, could play a pivotal role in reshaping Nigeria’s energy landscape, promoting affordability, and supporting sustainable development.

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Presidency Awaits Court Verdict on Minister Uche Nnaji’s Alleged UNN Certificate Forgery

Abuja, Oct. 7, 2025 — The Presidency has said it will take action only after the court delivers its verdict on the alleged certificate forgery case involving the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this while addressing inquiries about the controversy surrounding the minister’s alleged forged degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Onanuga stated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will respect the judicial process and refrain from making any comments on the matter while it remains before the court. “This matter is already in court. We should await the verdict of the court,” Onanuga told Leadership Newspaper. The presidential aide’s remarks come amid growing pressure on Nnaji to resign pending the outcome of the case, which has generated significant public and political attention. Minister Speaks on His UNN Certificate In a recent statement, Uche Nnaji addressed the allegations, saying he had not yet collected his degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His explanation, however, has further fuelled controversy, with critics arguing that the minister’s acknowledgment implies that the certificate he presented to the Senate during his ministerial screening may have been fake or forged. The University of Nigeria has reportedly denied issuing the said degree certificate, stating, “UNN never issued a degree certificate to him.” As the case proceeds in court, the federal government maintains that it will withhold any decision or disciplinary action until a judicial determination is made.

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I Employed a Maid from Hell — Woman Laments as Maid Breaks Savings Box, Steals Money

A Nigerian woman has taken to social media to share her frustration after discovering that her housemaid allegedly broke into her savings box and stole a large sum of money. The distraught woman narrated the incident in a viral TikTok video posted under the handle @anotherdaytogoharder, expressing shock and disappointment over the betrayal. Maid Allegedly Betrays Employer’s Trust According to her, she had treated the maid kindly — paying her salary promptly, giving her extra cash, and providing meals. However, due to the maid’s poor cleaning skills, she decided to let her go. A few days after the maid’s departure, the woman said she went to deposit more money into her savings box

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Lagos Sextortion Network Linked to Death of 16-Year-Old American Teen, Evan Boettler

A sextortion network traced to Lagos, Nigeria, has been linked to the tragic death of 16-year-old American schoolboy Evan Boettler, who took his own life just 90 minutes after receiving a blackmail message on Snapchat from someone posing as a teenage girl. Evan, from Missouri, had been communicating with a Snapchat account under the name “JennyTee60,” according to a BBC investigation. The account reportedly persuaded him to share explicit images before ruthlessly blackmailing him. One of the messages sent to the teenager read: “I have your nudes and everything needed to ruin your life.” His devastated parents, Kari and Brad Boettler, described Evan as a “bright, funny” young man who loved fishing, hunting, and sports. “When they finally told us that night that he was gone, it didn’t make any sense. I don’t understand how this could happen to our family,” Kari said. Brad added: “It wasn’t hard to parent him because he was such a good human.” Investigators later traced the Snapchat account’s login to an IP address in Lagos, Nigeria, leading to the discovery of an online underworld of cybercriminals locally known as “Yahoo Boys.” These networks, dubbed “Hustle Kingdoms,” consist of rooms of young men who run sextortion and romance scams targeting victims across the globe. One scammer, identified only as Ola, explained how the operation works: “You open a female account using fake names from fake generators. It’s a site where you get names of people from the country that you want.” When asked if he felt guilty, Ola said: “I don’t feel bad because I need the money.” He added that young boys in Western countries are frequent targets because “their sex drive is so high, and they’re scared of their pictures being released to their class groups, parents, and friends.” The investigation revealed that some of these criminal groups now employ “cyber-spiritualists” who perform rituals purportedly to protect them from being caught or to make victims more vulnerable to manipulation. According to the FBI, reports of sextortion have surged in recent years, with over 55,000 cases recorded in the United States in 2024 alone. The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) also receives around 110 sextortion reports every month. In response, major social media companies have pledged stronger action. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said: “We have around 40,000 people working on safety and security globally, with over $30bn invested in this area over the last decade. We automatically place teens in the strictest message settings and alert them when they’re chatting with someone who may be in a different country.” Snapchat similarly stated: “We have zero tolerance for sextortion on Snapchat. If we discover this activity, we take quick action to remove the account and support law enforcement efforts to bring offenders to justice.” However, the probe into Evan’s death reportedly stalled after Nigerian telecom provider GloWorld failed to retain data linked to the IP address used by the scammer. Nearly two years later, Evan’s parents remain heartbroken but determined to seek justice. “When they finally told us that night that he was gone, it didn’t make any sense,” Kari repeated. “I don’t understand how this could happen to our family.” Evan’s death continues to underscore the growing global threat of online sextortion and the urgent need for stronger international cooperation to identify and prosecute cybercriminals.

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