Category: News

Irked by the continued importation of fuel into Nigeria despite the operation of local refineries, a coalition of civil society and oil sector groups has announced a three-day peaceful protest.

The development was made known, in a statement was jointly signed by the trio of Comrade Adebayo Ogunseye for the Nigeria Civil Society Organisations Situation Room; Engr. Musa Ibrahim Danjuma for the Oil and Gas Workers Advancement Network; and Barrister Kingsley Chinedu Okafor for the National Coalition of Oil Assets Protection and Development, noting that the nationwide mobilisation became necessary following the disturbing and unpatriotic continuation of fuel import licences despite the existence and full operation of the world class Dangote Refinery and other local refining capacities in Nigeria.

The groups disclosed that the protest, tagged Occupy NNPCL, NMDPRA and National Assembly, will hold from Monday, May 18 to Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and the National Assembly of Nigeria in Abuja.

They emphasized that the action was prompted by the continued issuance of fuel import licences despite the availability of local refining capacity, including the Dangote Refinery.

“This nationwide mobilisation has become necessary following the disturbing continuation of fuel import licences despite the existence and full operation of local refining capacity in Nigeria,” the statement said.

The groups also referenced reports that the Dangote Refinery has instituted fresh legal action challenging the renewal of import licences by industry regulators, arguing that such approvals undermine local refining and violate existing laws.
They accused unnamed interests of frustrating Nigeria’s drive for energy security, job creation and economic independence.

“It is unacceptable that Nigeria still spends enormous resources importing refined petroleum products while local investors face institutional bottlenecks,” the statement said.

The coalition listed six demands, including the immediate suspension of fuel import licences where domestic production capacity exists, public disclosure of licence holders, and a National Assembly investigation into alleged sabotage in the downstream petroleum sector.
They also called for a clear national policy mandating the use of locally refined petroleum products before import approvals are considered.

They stressed that the protest is not directed at the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but at what they described as entrenched interests within the petroleum sector.

“This protest is not against the administration. Some vested interests within the system are undermining the President’s vision for economic recovery and industrial growth,” the groups said.

The statement urged labour unions, youth groups, market associations and other stakeholders to participate in the rally.
“Nigeria must refine what it consumes and protect its economic sovereignty,” the coalition declared.

Zamfara State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, Hon. Aliyu Abdulrahman, also known as Tumbido, along with six others, has been awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Public Governance and Leadership from the Abuja Leadership Centre at Yakubu Gowon University, previously known as the University of Abuja.

According to Professor Abdulhamid Ozohu-Suleiman, the Director of the Centre, these academic achievements were conferred after the recipients successfully completed all requirements, including the external defense of their theses on May 13 and 14, 2026, pending the approval of the University’s Senate.

Besides Hon. Abdulrahman, the other recipients of doctoral degrees in the same field include Nwakolu Christian Chukwuka, Matthew Onokpasa, and Ego Benson-Nwobum, as well as Oladunni Sarah Olanike, Dika Doris David, and Hamadama Dahiru Bazza.

Following the event, Professor Ozohu-Suleiman commended the external examiner, Professor Linda Kwon-Ndung from the Federal University of Lafia in Nasarawa State, for her thorough and professional evaluation of the doctoral candidates. He also encouraged the awardees to adhere to all the instructions and corrections provided during their thesis defense within the stipulated timeframe.

In his reaction, Hon. Abdulrahman dedicated his academic achievement to Almighty Allah and expressed that his motivation for pursuing a doctoral programme stemmed from his passion for seeking knowledge.

He pledged to utilize the knowledge gained from his research on the “Socio-economic Impact of Mineral Resource Conflict,” which significantly affects his community in Zamfara, to improve conditions in the state.

“Based on what I have read and researched, I have much to contribute. I assure you I will communicate this, especially to our leaders in Zamfara, regarding ways to address the issues of banditry, kidnapping, and other social and economic challenges,” he stated.

“Obtaining a PhD is not the most important aspect; rather, it is the research process that matters. I have gained valuable insights that I believe will impact not only myself but also my family, community, state, local government, and country at large.

“The programme was quite enlightening. As you know, the pursuit of knowledge never ends, and I may choose to continue my studies further. I am grateful to have achieved this milestone, and what motivated me to pursue a doctorate was my love for learning,” he added.

The Abuja Leadership Centre at the University of Abuja is recognized as a TETFUND Centre of Excellence for Public Governance and Leadership, dedicated to enhancing public governance and leadership in Nigeria and beyond.

Chief Ambassador Eka Dickson A’adu, the Chief Executive Officer of Ekason Groups of Companies — a reputable conglomerate with diverse interests spanning commerce, real estate, trade, and community development — and a distinguished community leader of Benue State extraction, has risen with a heart full of gratitude and admiration to celebrate His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State, as he marks his 60th birthday — a golden milestone in the life of a man who has become synonymous with transformation, courage, and servant leadership. Chief Amb. Eka, a man who has long held the conviction that a governor who builds roads builds futures and a leader who bridges divides builds a people, found in Governor Alia the living proof of that conviction — a builder and a bridge-maker in the truest and most literal sense of both words.
In a heartfelt tribute made available to this publication, Chief Amb. Eka described Governor Alia as a rare breed of leader — one whose footprints are not found in the pages of press releases alone, but etched permanently in the concrete of roads, the steel of bridges, and the grateful hearts of millions of Benue people who can today travel with dignity, conduct business with ease, and look upon their state capital with well-deserved pride.
When Governor Alia assumed office on the 29th of May, 2023, the streets of Makurdi told a tale of neglect — potholed, waterlogged, and weary. Yet with the single-minded focus of a man on a divine assignment, he wasted no time. He simultaneously flagged off the construction of sixteen township roads within the Makurdi metropolis, a feat that stunned critics into silence and set the tone for what was to become a legacy of unparalleled infrastructure renewal. That number has since grown to over fifty road projects cascading across Benue State like arteries of progress — connecting communities, opening markets, and restoring the dignity of a people who had long navigated the indignity of impossible terrain. As a businessman whose operations span multiple sectors and who travels regularly across the length and breadth of the state, Chief Amb. Eka affirmed with firsthand authority that the roads now being laid in Makurdi, Gboko, and beyond are a testament to a governor who truly means business.
Beyond the roads themselves, Chief Amb. Eka was emphatic that the construction of modern underpasses and overhead bridges in both Makurdi and Gboko represents the boldest expression yet of Governor Alia’s transformative vision. The flyover at the High-Level roundabout in Makurdi and the underpass at Gyado Junction in Gboko were not merely engineering projects — they were declarations. They declared that Benue State had arrived on the map of modern infrastructure, that its cities deserved the same dignity afforded to any other state capital in the federation, and that the era of traffic gridlock strangling commerce and daily life was firmly over. For a state that had languished in infrastructural stagnation for years, these structures stand as enduring monuments to what becomes possible when leadership is purposeful, courageous, and unafraid to dream big. Every morning that motorists ease through those underpasses and over those bridges, they move through a corridor built from a governor’s sacrifice, commitment, and unyielding love for his people.
Chief Amb. Eka equally praised Governor Alia for understanding that great governance does not stop at the gates of the state capital. The Governor’s administration has pursued an ambitious programme to link virtually all Local Government Area headquarters across Benue State to Makurdi through quality, durable roads — roads that do not surrender to the first rains but are built to serve generations yet unborn. Of particular note, and one that Chief Amb. Eka described as touching his heart most deeply, is the ongoing reconstruction of the Oju-Awajir road. This vital corridor, which had for years condemned the people of Oju and surrounding communities to near-isolation, is being transformed into a modern thoroughfare worthy of the industrious people it serves. Its completion, he noted, will not only ease the movement of goods and persons but will unlock the enormous agricultural and economic potential of those communities, weaving them permanently into the fabric of Benue’s development story. “This,” he declared, “is governance with a conscience.”
To understand Governor Alia the builder, Chief Amb. Eka noted, one must first appreciate Governor Alia the man. Born on the 15th of May, 1966, in the quiet hills of Mbangur, Mbadede in Vandeikya Local Government Area, and educated across some of the finest institutions in Nigeria and the United States of America — including a Master’s degree in Religious Education from Fordham University, Bronx, New York, and a Master’s in Biomedical Ethics from Duquesne University, Pennsylvania — Governor Alia is a leader shaped by intellectual rigour, spiritual discipline, and a lifetime of humanitarian service. He did not arrive at Government House as a career politician seeking personal comfort. He arrived as a servant leader carrying the full and solemn weight of a people’s hope. His inaugural declaration — “You were waiting for Hope” — was not political theatre. It was a covenant. And on this, his 60th birthday, that covenant is being honoured visibly and verifiably on every newly tarred road, every standing bridge, and in every community now within reach of Makurdi and of opportunity.
Chief Amb. Eka Dickson A’adu himself is no stranger to the weight of responsibility and the demands of leadership. Hailing from a family with deep roots in the commercial and philanthropic life of Benue State, he has built Ekason Groups of Companies into a reputable institution serving the people of the state and beyond across multiple sectors. His business philosophy has always been anchored on one conviction: when the land prospers, its people prosper, and when its people prosper, enterprise thrives. It is from this vantage point — as a businessman, a community leader, and a proud Benue son — that he stands to celebrate Governor Alia, affirming that the Governor’s developmental strides have not only transformed the state’s infrastructure but have improved the business climate, reduced logistics costs, and opened fresh corridors of opportunity for entrepreneurs, traders, farmers, and small business owners across Benue State.
In his own words, Chief Amb. Eka closed with a solemn, public, and unequivocal pledge:
“Your Excellency, on this milestone birthday, I make this pledge publicly and unequivocally: I stand fully behind you. I pledge my unwavering support — moral, social, and material — for your re-election bid in 2027. Benue State cannot afford to interrupt a journey that has only just found its stride. The roads you are building must be completed. The bridges you have raised must be maintained. The vision you carry must be seen to its fullest fruition. May God Almighty grant you many more years of health, wisdom, and the strength to serve. Happy 60th Birthday, Your Excellency. The Heart of the Nation beats proudly because of you.”
— Chief Amb. Eka Dickson A’adu
Chief Executive Officer, Ekason Groups of Companies
Community Leader & Philanthropist, Benue State

The Nigeria Police Force command in Ekiti State has dismissed a police sergeant, Osayingbemi Temitope, following an internal disciplinary process linked to alleged illicit drug use.

Command spokesperson Sunday Abutu disclosed the development in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti, saying the officer was seen in a viral video allegedly behaving erratically in Ikole-Ekiti on May 9.

According to the police, the officer was immediately subjected to medical and psychological assessments, alongside internal disciplinary procedures. The command said the psychological evaluation found him emotionally stable, while medical tests reportedly detected traces of tobacco and amphetamine.

Abutu added that the officer later admitted to taking illicit substances during the investigation.

Following the completion of disciplinary proceedings, the officer was found culpable of misconduct and recommended for dismissal, a decision the command said has now taken immediate effect.

The police reiterated their commitment to discipline and professionalism, stating that misconduct and actions capable of damaging the image of the force would not be tolerated.

Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Falade Micheal, also urged officers to uphold accountability, integrity and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

Former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Prof. Ali Ahmad, has successfully passed the governorship screening exercise conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC), marking a significant step in his bid to govern Kwara State in the 2027 general elections.
The screening, held at the party’s National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, was conducted in line with the PDP’s internal guidelines and preparatory processes ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle. Prof. Ahmad, who distinguished himself as a former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, sailed through the NWC screening process, further cementing his standing as one of the party’s most credible and experienced aspirants in the state.
His emergence from the exercise has been received with enthusiasm among party loyalists and supporters across Kwara State, who regard him as a tested hand in both governance and party administration. His passage through the rigorous process is widely seen within the party as a strong signal of his readiness for the task ahead.
Speaking on the development, Sa’ad Ayinde, Media Assistant to Prof. Ali Ahmad, described the successful screening as a further validation of Prof. Ahmad’s credentials. “His conduct throughout the process once again reflects his maturity, competence, and unwavering dedication to the unity, progress, and success of the PDP,” Ayinde said.
With a wealth of legislative and public service experience behind him, Prof. Ahmad is increasingly regarded as a formidable contender in the PDP’s plans to reclaim the Kwara State Government House. Political watchers in the state will be keenly observing how his campaign takes shape and whether the PDP can consolidate its structures around his candidacy to mount a credible challenge ahead of 2027.
Signed: Sa’ad Ayinde
Media Assistant to Prof. Ali Ahmad, Former Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly

By Jabiru Hassan

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commissioned the newly constructed Ihovbor/Benin and Ihovbor/Ajaokuta 330kV Turn-In Turn-Out transmission lines at the Ihovbor Transmission Substation in Edo State, in a move aimed at strengthening national grid capacity and improving electricity evacuation.

The commissioning ceremony, held on May 14, 2026, was described by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, as a major milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to improve transmission infrastructure and enhance grid reliability.

According to him, the 14-kilometre double-circuit line connects the existing Benin/Ajaokuta 330kV route to the Ihovbor Substation, creating two additional transmission pathways that improve operational flexibility within the Benin corridor.

“The project has increased the operational flexibility of the transmission network and strengthened the resilience of power delivery within the Benin corridor,” Abdulaziz said.

He explained that the project will improve the evacuation of electricity generated by the Azura Power Plant and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), while reducing transmission bottlenecks and boosting system stability.

Abdulaziz added that the new infrastructure provides an additional 600MW evacuation capacity, allowing distribution companies to access more bulk electricity for consumers nationwide.

He noted that TCN’s role is strictly limited to transmitting electricity from generation companies to distribution load centres.

“Our job is to transmit the power from the generators to the load centres. It is the responsibility of distribution companies to offtake and distribute to customers,” he said.

He further assured that TCN remains committed to expanding transmission infrastructure to meet growing national demand while urging host communities to support the protection of installations against vandalism.

The Managing Director of Energo Nigeria, Predrag Mihel, said the project involved 30 transmission towers and twin Bison conductors capable of supporting up to 1.5GW from the NIPP and Azura power plants.

He attributed the successful completion of the project to strong collaboration between TCN and Energo Nigeria.

Also speaking, TCN’s General Manager, Engineering, Mojid Akintola, said the project was originally awarded in 2017 but faced delays due to right-of-way challenges and funding constraints, which have now been resolved.

He commended the Ihovbor host community, the contractor, and the TCN management team for ensuring the project’s completion.

The General Manager of the Benin Region, Charles Iwuamadi, said the project adds over 600MW of wheeling capacity to the region, while reiterating that TCN operates strictly as a bulk electricity transporter and does not distribute power directly to end users.

Representing the Enogie of Ihovbor/Evbueka, Elliot Imafido, commended TCN for the project but appealed for increased employment opportunities for indigenes and improved electricity supply to the host community.

By Israel Adamu, Jos

Stakeholders from Garkawa District in Plateau State’s Mikang Local Government Area have unanimously adopted Mr. Timdi Nkat as their consensus candidate for the State House of Assembly seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The stakeholders also declared support for the re-election bid of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, describing his administration as unifying and deserving of continuity.

The decision was reached during a well-attended meeting held on Thursday, bringing together political leaders, traditional rulers, elders, youth groups, women leaders, and party members from Youm, Tehl, and Piapung districts.

Participants described the gathering as historic, noting that it represents a major step toward political alignment and unity in Mikang ahead of the party primaries.

Presenting the position of the Youm stakeholders forum, former State Auditor, Ishaku Fanto, said the choice of Timdi Nkat followed extensive consultations involving the Mwo Youm of Garkawa, council of chiefs, political stakeholders, and community leaders.

Fanto explained that the consensus was based on principles of fairness, equity, justice, and inclusive representation, adding that Youm District remains the only major district in Mikang yet to produce a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly.

He argued that it was only fair for the district to be given the opportunity to occupy the legislative seat.

Fanto also reaffirmed the district’s commitment to Governor Mutfwang’s re-election, pledging continued political support.

A former member of the House of Representatives for Mikang/Shendam/Qua’an Pan Federal Constituency, Innocent Tirsel, also spoke at the meeting, stressing that zoning arrangements—though unwritten—remain essential for fairness, peaceful coexistence, and balanced political representation.

He noted that after Piapung District held the State Assembly seat for 16 years and currently occupies the chairmanship of Mikang Local Government, it would be unjust for any group to retain both positions.

According to him, political parties seeking peace and electoral success must embrace equity and allow power rotation among districts.

Former Chairman of Mikang Local Government and ex-member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Isa Kungwai, warned against actions that could undermine unity and long-standing political arrangements in the area.

He said Mikang’s strength lies in its tradition of mutual respect and collective decision-making, urging stakeholders to avoid personal ambitions capable of destabilising peace.

Also speaking, former Director-General of PEPSA, Nuhu Longpes, described Timdi Nkat’s emergence as a reflection of the collective will of the people, achieved through broad consultation and political maturity.

He said the decision demonstrated inclusiveness and a shared commitment to strengthening Mikang’s political influence in Plateau State.

Former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, George Daika, who spoke on behalf of Piapung stakeholders, urged political actors to prioritise unity over individual ambition.

He commended the stakeholders for embracing dialogue and consensus-building, noting that sustainable political progress depends on fairness, inclusion, and mutual respect.

The meeting was attended by several notable figures, including the Chairman of the Plateau State Civil Service Commission, Prof. Paul Wai; former Transition Committee Chairman, Hon. Magdaline Bagudu; former Executive Secretary, Emmanuel Taukek; Barr. Chasil Drenkat; councillors; as well as youth and women representatives.

The event concluded with a solidarity march to the Mikang Local Government Secretariat, where the resolutions were formally presented to the council chairman.

Stakeholders reiterated their call for unity and equity, reaffirming Timdi Nkat as the consensus choice for the 2027 House of Assembly race.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

The Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations (JACON) has accused governors in Northern Nigeria of neglecting workers despite increased federal allocations to states following the removal of fuel subsidy.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 14, 2026, the group alleged that the 19 northern states had received significantly higher revenues since the subsidy removal but failed to improve workers’ welfare or address worsening economic hardship.

The statement, signed by JACON’s National Director of Public and Strategic Communication, Muhammed Isa, and Secretary General, Raphael Terkolar, criticised governors for allegedly refusing to implement a ₦150,000 minimum wage and clear outstanding salary arrears.

According to the group, the failure of state governments to improve wages has deepened poverty and weakened economic stability across the region.

JACON claimed that monthly allocations to northern states from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) had either doubled or tripled since fuel subsidy removal, but alleged that much of the increased revenue had been lost to opaque spending, inflated contracts, and recurrent expenditures.

“Official data from state treasuries and the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee show that monthly allocations to northern states have doubled or tripled since subsidy removal,” the statement said.

The coalition alleged that many workers across the region continue to endure low wages, unpaid salary arrears, and delayed pension deductions despite rising government revenues.

According to JACON, the situation has contributed to growing poverty, declining purchasing power, and increased social hardship among workers and their families.

The group further linked the wage crisis to rising malnutrition, school dropouts, reduced access to healthcare, and worsening insecurity in parts of Northern Nigeria.

“When workers see revenue but no relief, faith in democratic institutions collapses, leading to voter apathy or violent rejection of the state,” the statement added.

JACON warned that widespread poverty among workers could also fuel recruitment into criminal activities such as banditry and kidnapping.

The group outlined four key demands to northern governors and lawmakers, including the immediate implementation of a ₦150,000 minimum wage backdated to the period of subsidy removal.

It also demanded the clearance of all salary arrears and pension deductions within 90 days, monthly publication of FAAC allocations and welfare expenditures, and the establishment of a State Workers’ Welfare Trust Fund financed with at least 30 per cent of subsidy-related revenue increases.

With future elections approaching, JACON said it would mobilise voters across northern states to reject governors and lawmakers who fail to prioritise workers’ welfare.

“Our message to every worker, trader, and farmer in northern Nigeria is simple: your vote is your only weapon. Reject any governor or lawmaker who received increased revenue yet refused to pay a ₦150,000 minimum wage or prioritise your welfare,” the statement said.