Folarin Kehinde

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said that the price of the Household Kerosene (HHK) rose by 25.18% in one year.

This was contained in a document tagged: “Household Kerosene (HHK) Price Watch October 2023” which was released on Tuesday, November 21.

The NBS noted that the price of kerosene soared from N1,041 in October 2022 to N1,303.16 in October 2023.

The national data hub also noted that on a month-on-month basis, the price from by 0.32% from the N1,299.03 recorded on September 2023.

“The average retail price per litre of Household Kerosene (HHK) paid by consumers in October 2023 was N1,303.16, indicating an increase of 0.32% compared to N1,299.03 recorded in September 2023,” the NBS said.

“On a year-on-year basis, the average retail price per litre of the product rose by 25.18% from N1,041.05 in October 2022.”

The document noted that on state profile analysis, the highest average price per litre in October 2023 was recorded in Adamawa with N1,676.19, followed by Abia with N1,555.21 and Abuja with N1,541.67. On the other hand, the lowest price was recorded in Kwara with N1,034.29, followed by Kebbi with N1,133.33 and Enugu with N1,134.52.

It added that analysis by zone showed that the South-East recorded the highest average retail price per litre of Household Kerosene with N1,404.49, followed by the North-East with N1,371.03, while the North-West recorded the lowest with N1,221.22.

NBS said the average retail price per gallon of Household Kerosene paid by consumers in October 2023 was N4,581.89, showing an increase of 4.63% from N4,379.31 in September 2023.

The document said on a year-on-year basis, this increased by 30.28% from N3,516.87 in October 2022. On state profile analysis, Taraba recorded the highest average retail price per gallon of Household Kerosene with N5,500.00, followed by Lagos with N5,484.38 and Adamawa with N5,214.29.

On the other hand, according to NBS, Delta recorded the lowest price with N3,108.33, followed by Rivers and Ogun with N3,860.00 and N3,900.00 respectively.

It also noted that analysis by zone showed that the North-East recorded the highest average retail price per gallon of Household Kerosene with N5,096.83, followed by the North West with N4,773.87, while the South-South recorded the lowest with N4,017.76.

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Tuesday, November 21, disclosed that he has saved N110 billion for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) since he assumed office.

Wike revealed this while holding a meeting with estate developers in Abuja.

The minister expressed displeasure over the rate at which fake Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is being given through the land process.

He added that bad eggs in the administration also said to get a C of O, N5 million would be paid.

The minister also disclosed that he would seek the permission of President Bola Tinubu to add a National Identification Number (NIN) to any C of O that would be given by his administration.

The speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon Moses Thomas Sule, has resigned his position as speaker.

The deputy speaker, Hon Gwottaon Fom, has also resigned his position.

The member representing Pankshin North Gabriel Dawang, has been elected as the new speaker.

According to reports the development could be connected to the sacking governor Caleb Mutfwang and some PDP lawmakers in the state assembly.

Hon Timothy Dantong representing Riyom constituency is now the new deputy speaker of Assembly.

Details later…

The Defence Headquarters has refuted the report that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has died.

Earlier on Tuesday, there was a report by few newspapers claiming that Musa had died.

However, a swift reaction by the DHQ in a post on X disclosed that the Defence Chief is well and alive.

It described the report as false publication adding that the Chief of Defence Staff is hale and hearty.

“Contrary to recent false publication, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, is alive and well,” DHQ wrote.

“Please rely on credible sources for accurate information,” it added.

Gen. Musa was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the Chief of Defence Staff on June 19, 2023.

Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Abba Moro, on Tuesday, emerged Senate Minority leader.

Moro, a two term Senator on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was nominated by the opposition party in the red Chamber and was subsequently affirmed.

He took over from Senator Simon Davou Mwadkwon representing Plateau North Senatorial District who was removed by the Appeal Court

Earlier, the Senate had zoned the Minority leader to the North Central. Senator Mwadkwon, though a first timer to the Senate, was nominated by the minority caucus.

Leading reporters gathered that the newly elected Minority leader was a former Minister of Interior during the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed his displeasure with the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, for failing to acknowledge his presence as FCT Minister during a church service in Port Harcourt.

The incident occurred at the rededication service of the 2023/2024 Legal Year of the Rivers State Judiciary.

At the event with Wike was the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, with the meeting serving as their first encounter since their fallout became public.

Wike, who was angry at not being recognised, warned that anyone who is not a politician should be careful not to be treated like one, emphasising that those who drag themselves into politics will be “rubbed in the mud of politics.”

“I saw the preaching; I was watching the preaching of Bishop Oko-Jaja yesterday. I watched the prayers you prayed,” Wike said.

“As a Minister of the FCT, I came to the church; not even the courtesy of recognizing that the Minister of FCT came in, and I laughed.”

He further stated that when he was Governor of Rivers State, the Anglicans were praising him.

“When I was Governor here you were all praising me here and there, saying I did this, I did that; fake!” Wike exclaimed.

Wike reiterated that he is a politician and not a clergy, and that they each have their own roles to play.

“I tell people. I am a politician and not a clergy. We have our own roles,” he said.

“As a clergy, you have your own role. I have never asked anybody how do you preach. I have never told anybody this is what to preach.”

Wike warned the clergy to be careful not to drag themselves into politics, as they would be subjected to the same treatment as politicians.

“If you are not a politician and don’t want what happens to politicians to happen to you, be careful. Because, once you drag yourself into politics, the mud will also be rubbed on you,” Wike said.

Wike reiterated that he is a politician and not a clergy, and that they each have their own roles to play.

“I tell people. I am a politician and not a clergy. We have our own roles,” he said.

“As a clergy, you have your own role. I have never asked anybody how do you preach. I have never told anybody this is what to preach.”

Wike warned the clergy to be careful not to drag themselves into politics, as they would be subjected to the same treatment as politicians.

“If you are not a politician and don’t want what happens to politicians to happen to you, be careful. Because, once you drag yourself into politics, the mud will also be rubbed on you,” Wike said.

Meanwhile, the bishop delivered a sermon titled “Fear Not,” where he encouraged judicial officers to fearlessly uphold the truth in their duties and to overcome the spirit of fear.

In a devastating assault that took place around 12:30 am on Monday, armed bandits stormed Ruwandoruwa community in Zamfara State, leaving a mobile policeman dead and 15 individuals abducted, including the wife of a local monarch.

Leadership reports that the assailants fired indiscriminately upon entering the community, leading to the tragic death of the mobile policeman who heroically tried to defend the district head’s residence.

Despite a failed attempt to abduct the district head, the bandits seized his wife before fleeing the scene. As of now, no ransom demands have been made by the perpetrators.

The bandits were yet to contact the community for ransom regarding the abducted persons.

The Zamfara State Police Command has yet to issue a statement or comment on the distressing incident.

Meanwhile, the attack has sparked fear and uncertainty within the community.