Tinubu Should Restore Fubara, Administrator Unconstitutional – NBA

Rivers’ Situation Can Lead To Feelings Of Depression – Fubara

The suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed that the political climate in the state could lead to feelings of depression. Speaking with Muslim leaders who visited him at his residence in Port Harcourt, Fubara stated: “As humans, we may feel somewhat depressed due to the situation and what we are witnessing, but there may be deeper forces at play that are beyond our understanding. Despite this, we continue to give glory to God. During this season of joy, love, and sacrifice, I want you to know that I share in your celebration. I remain optimistic that we will emerge stronger. Our vision for this state is a society where no one is oppressed. This is a crucial part of our struggle. Please remain patient and do not let anyone provoke you, as their goal is to cause division and disrupt our peace. They seek to undermine your livelihoods, but we will not allow that. We will continue to uphold peace and respect for the authorities, ensuring that Rivers State remains a model for others in Nigeria.”

Read More

Tinubu Reconstitutes NNPCL Board, Appoints New Chairman, Group CEO

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping reconstitution of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited board, removing the chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure and the group chief executive officer, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari. President Tinubu removed all other board members appointed with Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023. The new 11-man board has Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as non-executive chairman. Adedapo Segun, who replaced Umaru Isa Ajiya as the chief financial officer last November, has been appointed to the new board by President Tinubu. Six board members, non-executive directors, represent the country’s geopolitical zones. They are Bello Rabiu, North West, Yusuf Usman, North East, and Babs Omotowa, a former managing director of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas( NLNG), who represents North Central. President Tinubu appointed Austin Avuru as a non-executive director from the South-South, David Ige as a Non-executive director from the South West, and Henry Obih as a non-executive director from the South East. Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, will represent the ministry on the new board, while Aminu Said Ahmed will represent the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. All the appointments are effective today, April 2. President Tinubu, invoking the powers granted under Section 59, subsection 2 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, emphasised that the board’s restructuring is crucial for enhancing operational efficiency, restoring investor confidence, boosting local content, driving economic growth, and advancing gas commercialisation and diversification. President Tinubu also handed out an immediate action plan to the new board: to conduct a strategic portfolio review of NNPC-operated and Joint Venture Assets to ensure alignment with value maximisation objectives. Since 2023, the Tinubu administration has implemented oil sector reforms to attract investment. Last year, NNPC reported $17 billion in new investments within the sector. The administration now envisions increasing the investment to $30 billion by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030. The Tinubu administration targets raising oil production to two million barrels daily by 2027 and three million daily by 2030. Concurrently, the government wants gas production jacked to 8 billion cubic feet daily by 2027 and 10 billion cubic feet by 2030. Furthermore, President Tinubu expects the new board to elevate NNPC’s share of crude oil refining output to 200,000 barrels by 2027 and reach 500,000 by 2030. The new board chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is from Borno State. He is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he received a degree in civil engineering in 1984. He also obtained a postgraduate diploma in petroleum engineering from the Institut Francaise du Petrol (IFP) in Paris He started his career in the oil industry at Elf Petroleum Nigeria and later joined Total Exploration and Production as a trainee engineer in 1985. Musa became Total Nigeria’s Deputy Managing Director of Deep Water Services in 2015. Last year, he became an Independent Non-Executive Director at Pan Ocean-Newcross Group. Apart from his oil industry career, Ahmadu Musa Kida is a former basketballer and the president of the Nigerian Basketball Federation(NBBF) board. Ojulari, the new NNPC Limited Group CEO, hails from Kwara State. Until his new appointment, He was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company. His Renaissance recently led a consortium of indigenous energy firms in the landmark acquisition of the entire equity holding in the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), worth $2.4 billion. Like Kida, Ojulari is also an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for Elf Aquitaine as the first Nigerian process engineer to begin a stellar career in the oil sector. From Elf, he joined Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd in 1991 as an associate production technologist. Apart from working in Nigeria, he worked in Europe and the Middle East in different capacities as a petroleum process and production engineer, strategic planner, field developer, and asset manager. In 2015, he became the managing director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO). During his career, he was chairman and member of the board of trustees of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigerian Council) and a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. President Tinubu thanked the old board members for their dedicated service to NNPC Limited, particularly their efforts in rehabilitating the old Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which enabled them to resume petroleum product production after prolonged shutdowns. He wished them well in their future endeavours.

Read More
Kano Commends FG and Edo's Swift Response to Uromi Killings

Kano Commends FG and Edo’s Swift Response to Uromi Killings

The Kano State Government has commended the Federal Government and the Edo State Government for their swift response in managing the aftermath of the gruesome killing of 16 Kano indigenes in Uromi, Edo State. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic incident, lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Edo Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for their prompt intervention, which included dispatching delegations to Kano in a show of solidarity and concern. “We extend profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and His Excellency, Governor of Edo State, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, for the visit of Federal Government delegation and that of the Governor of Edo State in a show of solidarity and concern over this tragic incident,” Yusuf stated. In a statement on Tuesday by Kano Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, Yusuf reiterated his demand for justice and stressed the importance of transparency in the legal proceedings against those responsible. “Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done. The people of Kano, and indeed all Nigerians, deserve to see those responsible for this massacre brought to justice publicly,” he said. Yusuf also commended Okpebholo’s engagement with the Hausa community in Edo State to prevent further escalation of tensions.He particularly acknowledged the Edo State Government’s commitment to compensating the bereaved families, urging that the compensation be executed without delay. “The compensation which the delegation promised is a commendable step, but it must be executed without delay to support the grieving families who have lost their breadwinners,” he noted. The swift intervention by the Federal Government, according to Yusuf, underscores its commitment to the security and protection of all Nigerians, irrespective of their state of origin. Residents of Torankawa, the hometown of most of the victims, also voiced appreciation for the concerted efforts of the Federal and Edo State Governments in addressing the matter. Both Governors pledged to ensure a thorough and transparent justice process to prevent such an unfortunate incident from recurring anywhere in the country. The Kano State Government reaffirmed unwavering commitment to justice, vowing to closely monitor the situation to ensure that the victims’ families receive the compensation and support they deserve.

Read More
World Bank Approves $632m Loan for Nigeria.

World Bank Approves $632m Loan for Nigeria.

The World Bank has approved new loans totaling $632 million to support key sectors in Nigeria, including nutrition and basic education, despite growing concerns over the country’s rising debt. According to the bank’s website, the loans include $80 million for the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria 2.0 project and $552 million for the HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All program. Both were officially approved on Monday as part of the World Bank’s broader strategy to aid Nigeria’s development in healthcare, education, and community resilience. The funding aims to enhance nutrition outcomes and improve access to quality education for Nigerian children. This follows the World Bank’s approval of a separate $500 million loan on March 28, 2025, for the Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Programme, which seeks to strengthen livelihoods, food security, and financial support for vulnerable households and businesses.

Read More
Police Urge Natasha to Cancel Her Homecoming Event

Police Urge Natasha to Cancel Her Homecoming Event

The police have urged suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan to call off her scheduled Sallah rally in Kogi Central Senatorial District. The Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP William Aya, insisted the rally violates the State Government’s directive on Monday, which bans political gatherings. The statement reads, “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of Rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State. “The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying. “In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the State. As the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on any one who causes disturbance of peace and order in the State.” Despite the State Government’s proclamation on Monday banning political gatherings and rallies, Akpoti-Uduaghan has insisted on proceeding with the “homecoming.”She emphasised that her visit is solely to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with constituents.

Read More
Bobrisky claims arrest by Immigration officials

Bobrisky Claims to Have Been Arrested by Immigration Officials

Bobrisky Claims Arrest by Immigration Authorities in Nigeria Crossdresser Bobrisky has alleged that he was arrested by immigration officials in Nigeria. Taking to social media, he expressed confusion over the situation, stating that he had no idea why he was detained. Bobrisky wrote: “Guys, I have just been arrested by immigration in Nigeria. I don’t know what I did o.” This isn’t Bobrisky’s first encounter with the law. He has a history of legal issues, including a prior arrest at the Seme border while attempting to leave the country. The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed Bobrisky’s arrest, revealing that he is a “person of interest” in an ongoing investigation. However, the specific reason for his alleged arrest remains unclear.

Read More

Okonjo-Iweala, Sen. Natasha, Others Bag Arise News Awards

World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and other bagged Arise News Women Making Impact awards in Lagos on Monday. The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreed on 29 November by consensus to reappoint Iweala as Director-General for a second four-year term, set to begin on 1 September 2025. This decision reflects broad recognition of her exceptional leadership and strategic vision for the future of the WTO. The reappointment process, initiated on 8 October 2024, was overseen by Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, Chair of the General Council. With no additional nominations submitted by the 8 November deadline, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stood as the sole candidate. The process was conducted in a fully open and transparent manner, adhering to the WTO’s “Procedures for the Appointment of Directors-General” (WT/L/509). Similarly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended for six months after submitting a petition was among the awardees. Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was being punished for speaking out against the system and that she now feared for her and her two-year-old’s safety as her security detail had been stripped. “The Nigerian Senate operates like a cult. The Senate president runs the Senate like a dictator, not a democrat. There is no freedom of speech, there is no freedom of expression and anyone who dares to go against him gets cut to size,” the 45-year-old said in the first TV interview since her suspension. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleged that the sexual harassment started in 2023, when she visited Akpabio’s country home with her husband. She said the Akpabio “squeezed her hand suggestively” and said “I will make an opportunity for us to come here and have a good moment”. Akpoti-Uduaghan one of four female senators in a parliament of 109 members and she is also the first female senator in her state. Akpoti-Uduaghan told the BBC that she no longer had access to security as a result of the suspension.

Read More

Senator Natasha Returns to Senatorial District Tuesday

Senator representing Kogi Central District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduagban, will on Tuesday be recieve to a grand reception by her constituency, Trendbrio.com have gathered. The Home Coming at the instance of the Kogi Central Contituents is slated to commence at 9am Nigeria time. A backer of the embattled Senator, Dr Oby Ezekwesili announced the grand reception via her twitter handle on Monday. Her words,”Great to see that Senator Natasha Akpoti is being welcomed home by her constituents. “That’s awesome! “Legitimacy of any elective position is conferred only by the people one represents. “Kudos to the Good People of Kogi Central for standing by their legitimate representative.”

Read More