The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) on Wednesday increased the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as Petrol of fuel from N855 to N998 per litre. Reports claimed that the increment has been initiated across all NNPC Ltd filling stations. The new development is a 12.7% or N113 increase from the initial price. Details later…
Dignitaries, including Aisha Falode, president of the Nigeria Women Football League, and humanitarian services icon Noah Dallaji, will attend the 2nd edition of the Nigeria-France Sports Awards and Gala in Paris. The prestigious event will bring together key figures from the world of sports to celebrate outstanding achievements and strengthen sports relations between Nigeria and France. Senegalese legend Khalilou Fadiga, who played at the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, has also confirmed that he will attend the ceremony on October 21, 2024. It is a star-studded event, as Abu Barde, the special assistant to NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, will be live at the event. Babatunde Ojora, the convener of the Nigeria-France Sports Awards and Gala, says this year’s event will further solidify the sporting relationship between the two countries. Ojora, who is also the founder of OJB Sport, said: “Nigeria and France have witnessed significant sporting achievements in the past year, respectively, and these feats must be celebrated. “I am excited to announce that we will have Aisha Falode, who has been of immense support, in attendance. “Humanitarian icon and president of the African Children Talent Discovery Foundation Noah Dallaji will also be present. “Senegalese legend Khalilou Fadiga will also grace this prestigious occasion as well as NBA sensation Tarekeyi Edogi. “We want to continue to celebrate those who have excelled in our world of sports and encourage others to strive to reach the top, as there is always a reward for excellence. “I want to thank the Nigerian High Commission in France, as well as the Nigerian permanent delegate to UNESCO. The 2024 Nigeria-France Sports Awards and Gala will be held inside the Louisiana Belle Boat on the Seine River, same venue for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony parade.
Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has called Captain William Ekong, rave-of-the-moment Ademola Lookman, in-form winger Moses Simon and 20 other players for this month’s home-and-away 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying battle with the Mediterranean Knights of Libya. Wing-backs Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi are included, as well as goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoya, defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Alex Iwobi, and forwards Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze. Reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen is excluded on grounds of injury, just as South Africa-based centre-back Olisa Ndah, but defender Bright Osayi-Samuel makes his way back after missing the duels with Benin Republic and Rwanda last month, and in-form playmaker Chidera Ejuke returns to the fold after many moons. Veteran forward Kelechi Iheanacho is also listed, as well as midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi and Frank Onyeka. The Super Eagles will host the Mediterranean Knights at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 11th October, before flying to Benghazi to take on the Knights at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, 19 kilometres away from Benghazi on Tuesday, 15th October. All the players are expected to report in Uyo on Monday, 7th October. Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia) Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Crawley Town, England) Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England) Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Mr. Wale Edun has unveiled two major fiscal incentives aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector: •Value Added Tax (VAT) Modification Order 2024 •Notice of Tax Incentives for Deep Offshore Oil & Gas Production, in accordance with the Oil & Gas Companies (Tax Incentives, Exemption, Remission, etc.) Order 2024. The VAT Modification Order 2024 introduces exemptions on a range of key energy products and infrastructure, including Diesel, Feed Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Electric Vehicles, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure, and Clean Cooking Equipment. These measures are designed to lower the cost of living, bolster energy security, and accelerate Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy sources. In addition, the Notice of Tax Incentives for Deep Offshore Oil & Gas Production provides new tax reliefs for deep offshore projects. This initiative is aimed at positioning Nigeria’s deep offshore basin as a premier destination for global oil and gas investments. These reforms are part of a broader series of investment-driven policy initiatives championed by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in line with Policy Directives 40-42. They reflect the administration’s strong commitment to fostering sustainable growth in the energy sector and enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness in oil and gas production.
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has felicitated with Nigerians as the country celebrates its 64th Independence Anniversary on Tuesday October 1, 2024. SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, in a statement through the Association’s Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, enthused that Nigeria from independence in 1960 has witnessed ups and downs in all spheres of its national life. However, the number sports journalist noted that with over two hundred million people, Nigeria as the most populous nation in Africa can deploy its vast resources using sports as major economic driving force. He said, “First of all, I want to congratulate Nigerians, particularly the sporting media on this auspicious day in the nation’s history. It’s supposed to be a proud moment considering the years that have come by. At 64, a man is fully matured after witnessing several developmental stages in life. “For any country desirous of fundamental and genuine development in time, human capital development interest should be the major focus and sports being a big entrepreneurial/business drive globally has what it takes to turn around the fortunes of Nigerians. “Again, the population of people in Nigeria has continued to grow geometrically with little plan to engage mostly young people. Nigeria’s abundant human talents and mineral resources can be channelled to tackle unemployment and give hope to many through sports like it obtains in other parts of the world. “All that is now needed is the political will amidst implementation of practical policy geared towards harnessing teeming human assets in the over 40 different sporting areas. The truth remains that only sports have the vast opportunities to absorb and keep millions of youth busy, then give their lives meaningful living.” While expressing optimism that the future could be better than the past and present, the SWAN President also tasked government at all levels to channel efforts towards addressing various societal menaces including insecurity through sports. “Sports development is not just a Federal Government affair, political, business leaders and philanthropists have crucial roles to play. Nigeria recently participated at the 2024 Paris Olympics Games and returned home empty handed. Such disastrous outing shows that as a country, we have a long way to go. “It’s time to make our population count among the comity of Nations and grassroots sports development is key in this regard,” he said. The President of SWAN also congratulated the current leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led by Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau for reaching two years since its emergence. President Benjamin hailed NFF’s visionary leadership which has witnessed a turn around of the various leagues’ administration and called for sustainable approach and focus in the development of all aspects of Nigeria’s football drive, though Super Eagles have witnessed unexpected hiccups in their 2026 World Cup qualifying series, efforts should now be channelled towards ensuring they win remaining qualifier matches to brighten their chances of qualification at last.”
NAFDAC has intensified its efforts to rid the market of counterfeit and illegally imported cosmetics products in Abuja. Acting on intelligence reports, NAFDAC’s Investigation & Enforcement Directorate conducted coordinated raids across supermarkets and open markets including Wuse and Garki markets. Several unregistered and counterfeit cosmetics were seized with a total street value of ₦37 million. NAFDAC is committed to investigating the sources of these illegal products and will take strict regulatory action against those involved. All confiscated items will be destroyed in line with the Agency’s laws and regulations, ensuring public safety.
Former Super Eagles and Premier League football star Sam Sodje over the weekend condemned in very strong terms the prevalence of paedophiles among youth coaches in Delta State and other parts of Nigeria. The retired footballer, who presently shuttles between London, England, and Delta State where he contributes to youth engagement and empowerment through sports, is sad that coaches who are entrusted with young children are abusing them sexually and destroying their tomorrow and the society is not doing enough to arrest the criminal practices. Said Sodje, “Sports is a powerful tool that takes millions out of poverty in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world, the present economic difficulties in Nigeria have led many parents to encourage their children to participate as a get-out-of-poverty vehicle. “In their hurry to ensure their wards participate in sports, they give them out without doing due diligence or proper background checks of the so-called youth coaches. “Majority of the so-called youth coaches are of questionable character and their motive is to sexually abuse these children, not to give them coaching tutorials.” Sodje who has traversed every nook and cranny of Delta State and other parts of Nigeria in the course of promoting his initiative “Life After Sports” revealed that he has heard too many stories of coaches who engage in the act of sexually abusing children in the course of offering coaching services in the different sports across the country, Delta State not being an exception. The former football star isn’t just condemning the act; he’s also demanding urgent action. He’s calling for coaches involved in such immoral acts to be named, shamed, prosecuted, and punished similarly to how pedophiles are treated in Europe, America, and other regions. Sodje also urge parents to do serious background checks about coaches they want to entrust their children with, “I am therefore using the medium to offer strong advice to parents to ensure that they carry out due- diligence from top officials of various sports associations across the country, Delta State inclusive, to ensure that children do not fall prey to the activities of these unscrupulous coaches with their high inclination for immortality and sexual abuses against underage children. “As parents, we have the responsibility and the duty to protect our children from these wicked people that are living amongst us in the society.” He also called on administrators to “I want to also seriously call on all the administrators of the various sports associations to make it a point of duty to carry out proper character venting of individual coaches that are attached to them and ensure that the bad eggs in their midst are disengaged and specifically banned from working with children to protect our innocent boys and girls for the good of the family, the sports sector and the society in general.” Sodje said that instead of romancing the issue, we need to call a spade a spade and stop the shenanigans before it gets out of control. The football star who played for top and iconic English sides like Brentford, Reading, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield Wednesday, Watford, Charlton Athletic, Notts County, Portsmouth, and Greek club Skoda Xanthi, said he is ready to lead the fight against this ugly practice in sports and the society at large so that our children that practice and excel in their God’s given talents, without their today and tomorrow being destroyed by paedophiles.
A Prosecutor with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Bilikisu Bala on Monday, September 30, 2024, told a Joint Committee of the House of Representatives investigating allegations of corruption against some officers of the Commission, and the Nigeria Correctional Service that charges of money laundering dropped in the trial of Idris Okuneye (a.k.a Bobrisky) were lawful and in compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA. Bala, head of the prosecution team that handled the trial of Okuneye pointed out to the Committee that the charges were dropped based on the disclosure of the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML, that Okunenye’s firm, Bob Express, was not a Designated Non Financial Institution, Business and Profession, DNFIBP, and could not be prosecuted for flouting provisions of the Money Laundering Prevention & Prohibition Act, 2022. “We initially raised six count charges bordering on Naira Abuse and Money Laundering against Okuneye based on his confessional statement that his firm, Bob Express, was not registered with SCUML and was not rendering returns to it. Counts 1-4 were on Naira Abuse while counts five and six were on money laundering. Okuneye’s confession that he didn’t register his firm, Bob Express with SCUML and not rendering returns to it informed the money laundering charges initially included in the six count charges. However, when we wrote to SCUML on the status of the firm, the Unit responded that it was not a Designated Non-Financial Institution, Business and Profession, DNFIBP. We cannot lawfully sustain the charges in all sincerity. We, therefore dropped them and relied on the four counts on Naira mutilation to which Okuneye had pleaded guilty”, she said. The prosecutor dismissed claims of financial inducement in dropping charges maintaining that no such thing happened. “There is simply no basis for that. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, allows amendment of charges. It is a professional practice. It is laughable for anyone to attribute our decision to monetary issues. Why did we write to SCUML if we didn’t want to include the charges? We wrote to be lawfully guided and when the Unit responded that the firm had not breached any law, on what basis should we have retained the money laundering charges?”, she said. Bala, who appeared before the Committee with top management staff of the EFCC, charged the Committee to critically look into all the issues raised against the EFCC and make public its findings in the interest of justice. Chief of Staff to the EFCC’s Chairman, Commander of the EFCC, CE Michael Nzekwe who stood for the Chairman, Ola Olukoyede restated the seriousness the Commission attached to integrity of its staff. “We viewed the allegation of bribery against our officers seriously. Integrity is one of our core values. This is why we are here to place all the facts involved in the trial of Okuneye in the public domain”, he said. Okuneye, an ex-convict, had alleged in a viral video that he offered N15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira) as a bribe to some unnamed EFCC officers to drop money laundering charges against him.
