Fola Badmus, Author at Trendbrio.com

Breaking: Tinubu Lifts Emergency Rule in Rivers, Reinstates Gov Fubara

By Bunmi Ogunyale Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lifted the State of Emergency rule on Rivers State. The President made this declaration in a statement made available in Abuja on Wednesday. His words; “My Fellow countrymen and, in particular, the good people of Rivers State. “I am happy to address you today on the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State. You will recall that on 18th March, 2025, I proclaimed a state of emergency in the state. In my proclamation address, I highlighted the reasons for the declaration. “The summary of it for context is that there was a total paralysis of governance in Rivers State, which had led to the Governor of Rivers State and the House of Assembly being unable to work together. Critical economic assets of the State, including oil pipelines, were being vandalised. “The State House of Assembly was crisis-ridden, such that members of the House were divided into two groups. Four members worked with the Governor, while 27 members opposed the Governor. The latter group supported the Speaker. As a result, the Governor could not present any Appropriation Bill to the House, to enable him to access funds to run Rivers State’s affairs. That serious constitutional impasse brought governance in the State to a standstill. Even the Supreme Court, in one of its judgments in a series of cases filed by the Executive and the Legislative arms of Rivers State against each other, held that there was no government in Rivers State. “My intervention and that of other well-meaning Nigerians to resolve the conflict proved abortive as both sides stuck rigidly to their positions to the detriment of peace and development of the State. “It therefore became painfully inevitable that to arrest the drift towards anarchy in Rivers State, I was obligated to invoke the powers conferred on me by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to proclaim the state of emergency. The Offices of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and elected members of the State House of Assembly were suspended for six months in the first instance. The six months expire today, September 17th, 2025. “I thank the National Assembly, which, after critically evaluating the justification for the proclamation, took steps immediately, as required by the Constitution, to approve the declaration in the interest of peace and order in Rivers State. I also thank our traditional rulers and the good people of Rivers State for their support from the date of the declaration of the state of emergency until now. “I am not unaware that there were a few voices of dissent against the proclamation, which led to their instituting over 40 cases in the courts in Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Yenagoa, to invalidate the declaration. That is the way it should be in a democratic setting. “Some cases are still pending in the courts as of today. But what needs to be said is that the power to declare a state of emergency is an inbuilt constitutional tool to address situations of actual or threatened breakdown of public order and public safety, which require extraordinary measures to return the State to peace, order and security. “Considered objectively, we had reached that situation of total breakdown of public order and public safety in Rivers State, as shown in the judgment of the Supreme Court on the disputes between the Executive and the Legislative arm of Rivers State. It would have been a colossal failure on my part as President not to have made that proclamation. “As a stakeholder in democratic governance, I believe that the need for a harmonious existence and relationship between the executive and the legislature is key to a successful government, whether at the state or national level. The people who voted us into power expect to reap the fruits of democracy. However, that expectation will remain unrealizable in an atmosphere of violence, anarchy, and insecurity borne by misguided political activism and Machiavellian manipulations among the stakeholders. “I am happy today that, from the intelligence available to me, there is a groundswell of a new spirit of understanding, a robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm on the part of all the stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance. This is undoubtedly a welcome development for me and a remarkable achievement for us. I therefore do not see why the state of emergency should exist a day longer than the six months I had pronounced at the beginning of it. “It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today. The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from 18 September 2025. “I take this opportunity to remind the Governors and the Houses of Assembly of all the States of our country to continue to appreciate that it is only in an atmosphere of peace, order, and good government that we can deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. I implore all of you to let this realisation drive your actions at all times. “I thank you all.” Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

NNPC Ltd GCEO Calls for Stronger African Collaboration to Achieve Energy Security

Fola Badmus2 days ago2 days ago04 mins

By Prince Iroka The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to partnering with other African nations to achieve sustainable energy security across the continent. Engr. Ojulari made this assertion while addressing industry leaders at the 7th African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) National Oil Companies CEOs Forum, where he stressed the urgency for Africa to accelerate its energy transition and secure its energy future. He highlighted the decline of European investments in fossil fuel refineries, with most set to phase out by 2030, noting that this development makes it imperative for Africa to take decisive action in harnessing its abundant resources for the benefit of its people. “Africa must take ownership of its resources and policies. Our policies should be designed by us. With our vast resource base and improved governance structures, I am confident the continent can secure its energy destiny,” Ojulari said. The GCEO outlined strategic infrastructure projects spearheaded by NNPC Ltd., including the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline project designed to strengthen connectivity across Nigeria’s energy network. He further emphasised progress on the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, an expansion of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), which will enhance regional integration and cross-border energy trade. “When we started, we faced challenges with alignment, payments, and collaboration, but today the framework is working. The plan is to extend the pipeline to Côte d’Ivoire as the first phase, and ultimately to Morocco,” he explained. Engr. Ojulari also pointed to the enabling investment environment created by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which continues to open new opportunities for investors across the oil and gas value chain. On security, he disclosed that through strengthened partnerships with host communities and security agencies, Nigeria has achieved 100% pipeline availability for the first time in two decades, a milestone that has restored confidence in the resilience of the country’s energy infrastructure. Benchmarking with global energy leaders such as Petrobras, Petronas, and Saudi Aramco, the GCEO reiterated NNPC Ltd.’s readiness to collaborate, share knowledge, and drive collective progress with African peers to unlock the continent’s full energy potential.

Fuel marketers accuse Dangote Refinery of distributing substandard petrol

Dangote Refinery Ships Petrol to United States

Fola Badmus2 days ago2 days ago05 mins

Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery has cleared a major hurdle on its path to global relevance, securing its first U.S. gasoline sales after meeting the country’s stringent fuel standards. The shipment was delivered via the tanker Gemini Pearl to Sunoco’s terminal in New York Harbor. This development positions Nigeria as a significant player in the refined petroleum market globally. Two additional shipments from the refinery are scheduled to arrive in the U.S. later this month. The shipment, carried aboard the tanker Gemini Pearl, was discharged on Monday at Sunoco’s Linden terminal in New York Harbor, according to vessel-tracking data and industry sources familiar with the deal. The move marks a pivotal moment for the 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery, as traders and refiners worldwide had been watching for proof that its output could compete in premium markets like the U.S. Reuters reports that Global trading giant Vitol purchased the Gemini Pearl’s 320,000-barrel gasoline cargo from Switzerland-based Mocoh Oil and resold most of it to U.S. fuel distributor Sunoco, the sources said. The exact volume Sunoco acquired was not disclosed but the delivery has been confirmed through shipping and customs data. The debut shipment will soon be followed by more. Beyond the U.S., the refinery has already tested new waters in Asia, sending about 90,000 metric tons of gasoline eastward in June, its first shipment outside West Africa. Another Dangote cargo, arranged by Glencore and sold to Shell, is scheduled to arrive in New York Harbor on September 19 aboard the MH Daisen. A third parcel, purchased by Vitol on the vessel Seaexplorer, is expected to dock around September 22. Sources cautioned, however, that final destinations may shift depending on market conditions. Dangote’s refinery, Africa’s largest and one of the biggest globally, has been ramping up operations after years of delays and high expectations. Long touted as a potential game changer, the Lagos-based facility is central to Nigeria’s effort to fix a paradox: being one of the world’s top oil producers yet chronically dependent on costly fuel imports. Crude rich but refinery poor, the country spends billions each year bringing in gasoline to meet local demand. Breaking into the U.S. market represents far more than a symbolic win. It demonstrates that the refinery’s products can meet some of the strictest quality and environmental standards in the global fuel trade, paving the way for exports to other premium destinations in Europe and Asia. Industry analysts say that if Dangote can consistently deliver to advanced markets, it could begin to reshape global trade flows and reposition Nigeria as not just a crude exporter but a serious player in refined products. It has also supplied low sulfur straight run fuel oil to Singapore and delivered two consignments of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco, indicating its widening global reach. To date, it has shipped roughly 1.7 million barrels of jet fuel to U.S. ports across six vessels, further cementing its growing role in international energy trade. For Dangote, these exports are more than commercial milestones. They signal a breakthrough into the world’s toughest markets and a step toward reducing Africa’s long standing dependence on imported fuel.

Dehumanisation and Genocide: How Israel’s Narrative Enables Its War on Gaza

Fola Badmus2 days ago2 days ago16 mins

As global condemnation intensifies over Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, a growing number of analysts and human rights experts are pointing to a chilling root cause: the systematic dehumanisation of Palestinians. A recent United Nations commission concluded that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide — a charge that, according to legal experts, hinges not only on the scale of violence but on the ideology underpinning it. To commit genocide, the victims must first be viewed as less than human. “You dehumanise your victims. They’re animals. And so, without conscience, you can kill them,” said Navi Pillay, chair of the UN inquiry and former ICC judge. Pillay drew stark comparisons between Gaza and Rwanda, citing how both genocides were enabled by narratives that stripped victims of humanity. A Long History of Dehumanisation For many observers, this dehumanisation didn’t begin with Israel’s 2023 war on Gaza. It traces back decades — from the 1948 Nakba, when more than 700,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced, to the present-day occupation. According to Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, this is part of a broader policy designed “to cement the supremacy of the Jewish group across the entire territory under Israeli control.” Yair Dvir, spokesperson for B’Tselem, told Al Jazeera that most Israelis grow up never interacting with Palestinians, attending segregated schools and receiving no education on Palestinian culture or history. “We don’t even know about the Nakba,” he said. In schools, textbooks and children’s literature have long portrayed Palestinians as dangerous or subhuman — a reality confirmed in multiple studies over the years. By the time these children enter the army, the groundwork for justifying large-scale violence has already been laid. Normalising the Mass Killing of Civilians Israel’s military campaign has devastated Gaza City — described by UNICEF as the “last refuge” for many civilians in northern Gaza — as famine spreads and infrastructure collapses. Yet, within Israel, public discourse has largely focused on returning Israeli captives rather than the staggering Palestinian death toll, now surpassing 64,900. A poll by Israel’s aChord Center in August found that 76% of Jewish Israelis believed there were “no innocents” left in Gaza. This perception appears to align with statements from officials such as Defence Minister Israel Katz, who declared, “Gaza is burning.” Even so-called moderates in Israeli society are not immune. Aharon Haliva, former head of military intelligence — widely viewed as a centrist — was recorded saying that “50 Palestinians must die for every Israeli life lost on October 7,” regardless of whether they are children. A Society Conditioned for Genocide Israeli journalist Orly Noy argues that genocidal thinking doesn’t emerge overnight. “A society doesn’t just become genocidal. The conditions are cultivated systematically,” she said. Those conditions, analysts say, include decades of colonial framing, institutional discrimination, and political manipulation by hardline religious-nationalist movements. Since Israel’s 2005 withdrawal from Gaza, these groups have steadily gained control over education, media, and political life — shaping public opinion to support or ignore atrocities. Israeli sociologist Yehouda Shenhav-Shahrabani calls the gap between the religious right and the liberal center “very thin.” He says both camps are steeped in the belief that Palestinian life is expendable — a view rooted in the original Zionist narrative that treated Palestine as a “land without a people.” “The Nakba is not just a historical event,” he said. “It’s a process — and it’s ongoing in Gaza and the West Bank today.”

Qatar’s Emir Visits Jordan to Boost Military Ties After Israeli Strike on Doha

Fola Badmus2 days ago2 days ago13 mins

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has arrived in Amman for high-level talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, just days after an Israeli airstrike on Doha killed six people. The visit marks the emir’s first trip abroad since the September 9 attack, which targeted alleged Hamas leaders in a residential district of the Qatari capital. Sheikh Tamim was received by King Abdullah, Crown Prince Hussein, and senior Jordanian officials upon landing in Jordan’s capital on Wednesday. The visit follows an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha earlier this week, where leaders condemned the Israeli strike and pledged to strengthen regional defense cooperation. At the summit, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) committed to activating a joint defense mechanism — a move widely seen as a response to growing regional tensions following the strike. Reporting from Amman, Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid described the emir’s trip as “an important bilateral visit,” particularly in light of the attack and ongoing U.S. efforts to stabilize relations with Qatar. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Sheikh Tamim in Doha on Tuesday. Beyond the strike on Doha, the Israeli military campaign in Gaza is also expected to dominate the emir’s discussions with King Abdullah. Jordan, a key player in facilitating humanitarian aid to Palestinians, has maintained a critical stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza. “The symbolism is strong,” Bin Javaid noted. “Qatar wants to demonstrate its support for the Palestinian people and its commitment to regional diplomacy.” Military cooperation and regional coordination ahead of next week’s United Nations General Assembly meetings are expected to be central to the discussions between the two leaders.

Supreme Court Dismisses Appeals of Ondo SDP, APM Governorship Candidates

Fola Badmus2 days ago2 days ago01 mins

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by Bamidele Akingboye, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2024 Ondo State election. The dismissal followed a formal request by Akingboye’s legal team to withdraw the appeal due to his recent passing. Counsel for the respondents raised no objection to the withdrawal. A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Iyang Okoro, consequently struck out the case. In a similar ruling, the court also dismissed an appeal filed by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and its governorship candidate, following a withdrawal by their counsel.

Full Time: Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal – Gunners Secure Comfortable Win

Fola Badmus3 days ago3 days ago01 mins

Arsenal claimed a solid 2-0 victory over Athletic Club, showcasing their squad depth in a dominant performance. Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring just 36 seconds after coming on as a substitute, making an instant impact. Leandro Trossard sealed the win late in the game with a deflected strike, doubling Arsenal’s lead. The result highlights Arsenal’s growing momentum ahead of their Champions League campaign, with strong performances from both starters and substitutes. Key Moments:

Israel Accused of ‘Burning the Ground’ in Gaza City Offensive as Thousands Flee

Fola Badmus3 days ago3 days ago01 mins

Israeli forces have intensified their ground offensive in Gaza City, with residents describing the attacks as “heavy” and “relentless,” prompting a mass exodus of displaced Palestinians seeking safety. According to local sources, at least 89 people have been killed across the Gaza Strip since dawn, amid ongoing bombardment and worsening humanitarian conditions, including widespread hunger and displacement. The latest escalation has sparked renewed international concern, following a United Nations inquiry that concluded Israel’s nearly two-year-long war in Gaza amounts to genocide under international law. Thousands of civilians are now on the move again, fleeing areas under heavy fire in northern Gaza, as fears grow over further escalation and civilian casualties.