Nelson Ugwuagbo

A tragic motor accident occurred on Thursday along the Kaduna-Abuja highway, resulting in the loss of at least 21 lives. The accident happened at the border of Kaduna and Niger States, involving a truck and a passenger commercial bus.

The bus was traveling from Abuja to Kano, while the other vehicle was heading to Katsina State. According to a source from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kaduna State, the accident occurred near a traffic diversion in Niger State.

The diversion was caused by the ongoing reconstruction of the Kaduna-Abuja highway, which has been delayed. As a result, all vehicles were forced to drive on a single lane, leading to the accident.

The driver of the truck fled the scene immediately after the accident, causing heavy traffic to build up on the busy highway for several hours. The FRSC official confirmed that three surviving passengers were rushed to the Umaru Musa Memorial Hospital in Sabon-Wuse town for medical attention.

The remains of the victims were deposited at the hospital’s mortuary. The accident is a tragic reminder of the dangers of road travel in Nigeria, particularly on highways undergoing reconstruction.

The Lagos State Government (LASG) has announced that Eko Bridge will be shut down to make room for emergency repairs by the Federal Ministry of Works.

Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Transportation stated that the repairs on the bridge will take place in four different phases.

According to Osiyemi, the repairs on the bridge will begin on Monday, September 16, and will last for eight weeks.

The LASG said the bridge will be reopened in the second week of November.

Osiyemi said that during this period, depending on the work schedule, the bridge will be intermittently, fully or partially closed.

He also urged motorists and commuters to use alternative routes for the movement across the state.

The Alternative routes provided ahead of the Eko Bridge repairs are as follows:

Island from Funsho Williams Avenue: Service lane at Alaka to connect Costain and access Eko Bridge.

Island: Access Costain to connect Eko Bridge and link Apongbon

Apongbon inwards Eko Bridge: Link Costain to access Funsho Williams Avenue

For Costain inwards Alaka/Funsho Williams Avenue: Pass through Apapa Road from Costain and link Oyingbo to access Adekunle then link to the Third Mainland Bridge

Surulere: Use Costain to link Breweries inwards the Abebe Village to connect Eric Moore/Bode Thomas

Niger Delta communities are seeking 505 billion naira ($310 million) in damages from Shell, alleging that the oil giant breached a court order by proceeding with the sale of its onshore assets in the Niger Delta.

The legal challenge, filed on Friday, accuses Shell of violating a December 2023 court ruling that barred any asset sales until a compensation lawsuit was resolved.

Shell, which has agreed to exit Nigeria’s onshore oil and gas sector, announced in January that it would sell its business to a consortium of five largely local companies for $2.4 billion.

The move is part of Shell’s broader strategy to divest from its onshore operations in Nigeria.

However, over 1,200 representatives from the Ilaje communities in the Niger Delta have petitioned the Federal High Court in Abuja to halt the transaction.

They argued that Shell’s actions contravened the court’s directive, which suspended the sale pending the outcome of the compensation case.

The communities are suing Shell over alleged environmental damage caused by oil spills, which they claim have devastated waterways and farmland.

Shell has consistently maintained that oil spills in the region are primarily due to theft and vandalism rather than operational failures.

Despite the claims, the communities argue that Shell’s decision to press ahead with the asset sale is a direct affront to the court’s orders and an attempt to evade accountability.

In their court filings, the community representatives assert that Shell should face penalties for disregarding the court’s preservative orders.

They contended that the ongoing suffering of their members is a direct result of Shell’s failure to comply with judicial directives.

The Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended former Senator Dino Melaye. The suspension was carried out by the PDP ward executives in Ayetoro Gbede, Ward 1.

Melaye’s suspension was due to his failure to honor an invitation by the party, as well as allegations of anti-party activities and misconduct. The Ward executives took the decision during a meeting on Friday to review the report of the disciplinary committee set up to investigate Melaye’s actions.

The meeting was held in Aiyetoro/Luagba Ward 1, and the resolution was signed by Ward Chairman Abayomi Osamika and Ward Secretary Yodson Dayo. The resolution stated that Melaye’s conduct had brought embarrassment and disrepute to the party, making his continued membership untenable.

The resolution reads: “Senator Dino Melaye’s conduct has brought embarrassment and disrepute to the party and his continued membership is no longer tenable. Therefore, the Ward party exco hereby suspends Dino Melaye from the Peoples Democratic Party, effective immediately.”

The suspension is in line with the provisions of Article 59 (1) of the PDP constitution, which empowers Ward party executives to take disciplinary actions against erring members.

A former executive assistant who killed and dismembered his Nigerian tech CEO boss in New York City after stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from him has been sentenced for the murder, authorities said.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said in a press release on Tuesday, Sept. 10, that Tyrese Haspil, 25, was sentenced to 40 years to life in state prison for the 2020 murder of 33-year-old Fahim Saleh.

Today, Tyrese Haspil is facing accountability for brutally murdering and decapitating Fahim Saleh, a kind, generous, and empathetic person who positively impacted the world,” District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. said.

He added, “Even after the defendant stole from him to fund a lavish lifestyle, Mr. Saleh still gave him a second chance. While today’s sentence won’t bring Mr. Saleh back, I hope it provides his family a sense of closure as they continue to mourn his painful loss.”

Haspil’s sentencing comes a little over two months after he was found guilty by a New York State Supreme Court jury of first-degree murder and second-degree grand larceny among other charges in connection with the case.

On July 13, 2020, prosecutors said Haspil was seen on surveillance video entering Saleh’s apartment building in Lower Manhattan and following him into the elevator, which opened up into Saleh’s apartment. As Saleh got out of the elevator, Haspil tased him in the back and then stabbed him with a knife multiple times in the neck and torso, killing him.

The next day, Hapsil returned to the apartment, where he “dismembered and decapitated Mr. Saleh’s body using the saw and placed the body parts in pre-ordered construction bags,” according to the release.

The grim discovery was made by Saleh’s cousin, who came to check on him since she had not heard from him in 24 hours, prosecutors said. She subsequently called the police.

Haspil, who prosecutors said left the apartment looking for a saw battery charger and did not return after spotting a police presence in the building, was arrested four days later at an Airbnb he had reserved to celebrate his girlfriend’s birthday.

According to prosecutors, Haspil’s web history in the days after the murder showed searches for “dismembered body,” “Fahim Saleh,” and “murder of Tech CEO in New York.”

Prosecutors have said Haspil’s motive for killing Saleh was financial. Saleh, who was the founder and CEO of Gokada, a transportation company headquartered in Nigeria, learned that Haspil had stolen thousands of dollars from his financial accounts, which Haspil had access to since he began working as Saleh’s executive assistant in May 2018.

According to the district attorney’s office, Haspil set up a Paypal account and a corporate bank account to funnel Saleh’s money. He created bogus statements and used a name that resembled other financial transactions so Saleh would not become aware of the theft, prosecutors said.

“Haspil resigned in May 2019, knowing Mr. Saleh would learn about the embezzlement, yet continued to steal money [and] increasing the amounts,” prosecutors said. According to the district attorney’s office, Haspil paid Saleh back with stolen money through the PayPal scheme, but the theft continued, escalating to about $400,000.

In an attempt to hide the theft and prevent Saleh from potentially testifying against him in court, prosecutors said Haspil had plotted to kill Saleh on at least three occasions before carrying out the murder in July 2020.

Following his death, Saleh’s company released a statement, calling his passion for Nigeria and its young people “immeasurable.”

“He believed young Nigerians are extremely bright and talented individuals who would flourish if just given the right opportunity,” the statement read. “Fahim also believed that technology can transform lives and improve safety and efficiency. He built Gokada to act upon these beliefs.”

Political parties fielding candidates for the Edo State, September 21, 2024 governorship election have signed a Peace Accord.

Though the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate for the election, Asue Ighodalo, did not sign, other parties including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Monday Okpebholo, signed the Peace Accord. The Labour Party and its candidate Olumide Akpata signed as well.

Accord Party, Accord Alliance, African Action Congress, and African Democratic Congress, Action Democratic Party signed the peace pact as well.

Others include the All Progressives Congress (APC), the All Progressives Grand Alliance Grand Alliance Grand Alliance (APGA), the Allied Peoples Movement, Action Peoples Party, Labour Party, National Rescue Movement, Peoples Redemption Party, the Social Democratic Party, Youth Party, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) among others.

Former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar on Thursday at the venue of the signing of the peace accord in Benin City, the Edo State capital, said the PDP opted not to commit to a peace pact.

While thanking those who signed the peace accord, the former Head of State said, “As you must have seen in the media, I met the Governor (Godwin Obaseki) yesterday and he told me that the PDP is not going to sign this peace accord.

“They have made some observations and I was expecting the Chairman of the PDP to come and make that statement. Having waited for him this long, it is just to announce that the PDP said they are not going to sign.”

According to him, the PDP said it would only sign the peace accord if certain conditions are met.

The Chairman of the PDP in the state, Tony Aziegbemi, who was present at the venue did not explain why the party refused to sign the accord.

Five police officers and three soldiers were killed by bandit during a deadly ambush on Thursday morning in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The attack occurred as the security operatives were escorting workers of the construction company Setraco Nigeria Limited.

A military source confirmed the tragic event to reporters, revealing that the security personnel were caught off guard when the terrorists opened fire.

The ambush resulted in the death of eight security personnel, including five police officers and three soldiers.

However, a prompt and swift response by the military prevented further casualties among the Setraco workers and the remaining security personnel.

“The troops escorting Setraco workers on their way to Tsafe LGA in Zamfara encountered an ambush.

“Unfortunately, we lost three soldiers and five policemen, and their rifles were taken by the terrorists,” the military source said.

Despite the tragic loss, the source added that several terrorists were killed in a fierce gun battle that followed the ambush.

“Police have evacuated the bodies of both the personnel and the bandits,” the source added.

This incident follows closely on the heels of another report, which detailed how bandits blocked the busy Gusau-Funtua highway in Zamfara State, abducting an unspecified number of travellers.

The spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, Yezid Abubakar, confirmed the highway abduction, stating that the police had deployed personnel to the scene but were still awaiting a full briefing on the number of victims.

Security operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force have taken over the palace of Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, following the rumored death of the monarch.

A further report has it that the gate to the palace has been shut by the security operatives.

The 87-year-old Aromolaran has been on the throne for 42 years.

According to reporters, Oba Aromolaran was admitted at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State till Wednesday.

Impeccable sources in the palace confirmed to newsmen that the monarch passed away on Wednesday.

A family source revealed, “We are crying and mourning presently. We are not even picking calls from outsiders but I can’t ignore your own that is why.

“They are moving personal belongings of the king out of the palace as I am speaking with you.”

Petroleum marketers, refiners, and depot owners in Nigeria have demanded that the Federal Government to put a total stop to fuel Subsidy and begin full deregulation of the downstream oil sector, seeking to end government price controls due to subsidies.

The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria, African Refiners and Distributors Association, and Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria disclosed this during a webinar on Wednesday.

The discussion, themed ‘Optimising the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry’, brought together key stakeholders from various sectors of the oil and gas industry to discuss challenges, opportunities, and strategic initiatives for enhancing the sector’s efficiency and sustainability.

In a communique made available to our correspondent on Wednesday by MEMAN, participants were said to have discussed the implications of recent price hikes in petroleum products and emphasised the need for full market deregulation.

“A market-driven pricing mechanism was advocated to promote competitiveness and operational efficiency. The removal of government controls on pricing was seen as essential to fostering a more dynamic and responsive industry.

“The call for complete deregulation and market liberalisation was reiterated. The benefits include improved efficiency, enhanced product availability, and increased private sector participation,” the communique read partly.

There was a strong emphasis on supporting local refineries to decrease dependency on imported petroleum products. The stakeholders called for freedom for marketers to purchase crude oil from local and international sources and for refineries to enter into processing agreements with retail companies.

The discussions also underscored the importance of transitioning towards cleaner energy sources, including Compressed Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas.

The stakeholders also made a proposal for the establishment of a new committee structure in the petroleum sector, inspired by the Bankers’ Committee in Nigeria.

This structure, they said, would include a Midstream and Downstream Industry Coordination Committee to focus on enhancing collaboration within these sectors, chaired by the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

They called for an Industry Interface Committee to manage interactions between the upstream and downstream sectors; and a Petroleum Industry Consultative Assembly assembly bringing together stakeholders from across the oil and gas sectors, chaired by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil).

“These committees aim to foster collaboration, ensure regulatory compliance, facilitate conflict resolution, and provide strategic oversight, akin to the role played by the bankers’ committee in the banking sector.

“The creation of industry-wide consultative committees was suggested to enhance collaboration, innovation, and conflict resolution, addressing supply chain inefficiencies and infrastructure deficits was deemed crucial for long-term sustainability,” the communique said.

The oil sector investors also advocated for significant investment in infrastructure to enhance distribution and storage of petroleum products.

They called for the adoption of new technologies to optimise supply chains, reduce smuggling, and prevent adulteration.

Similarly, the business owners emphasised implementing sustainable practices, such as reducing gas flaring, promoting renewable energy use, and investing in carbon capture and storage technologies to align with global sustainability goals.

They also saw the need for a clearer and more supportive regulatory environment with references to the Petroleum Industry Act and its provisions, saying better implementation of policies is necessary to facilitate easier licensing, investment, and refinery operations.

The webinar also highlighted Nigeria’s potential to become a significant producer of plastics and petrochemical products. Stakeholders discussed leveraging the country’s abundant natural gas resources to develop a robust petrochemical industry. “This would reduce imports, create jobs, and support the local economy. Emphasis was placed on establishing the necessary infrastructure, such as petrochemical complexes, and adopting policies that encourage local manufacturing and value addition. The shift toward producing plastics domestically aligns with the broader strategy of industrial diversification and economic resilience.

“The webinar concluded with a commitment from all stakeholders to work collaboratively toward optimising the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Emphasis was placed on the need for strategic investments, policy reforms, and innovative practices that align with global standards and sustainability goals.

“The proposed establishment of the petroleum committee will serve as a key platform for fostering collaboration and guiding the sector through its ongoing transition,” the communique stated.

The Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has announced that the state government will provide financial support to students. Undergraduates will receive ₦20,000 monthly, while postgraduate students will receive ₦30,000 monthly.

Eno made this announcement at the Youths Appreciation Rally in Uyo Township Stadium on Wednesday. He also stated that undergraduate students of medicine, law, engineering, and agriculture will receive ₦30,000 monthly.

The Governor explained that this increased bursary is part of his administration’s efforts to support students. He said, “For our students, starting this academic session, we have increased the bursary from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000 for all undergraduates, and from ₦10,000 to ₦30,000 for professional students…”

Governor Eno also highlighted his government’s youth empowerment programs. He mentioned that 21 youths are currently training as engineers with Ethiopian Airlines, sponsored by the state government.

Additionally, Eno stated that over 150 youths have been trained in modern farming practices. His government will provide them with seedlings and purchase their farm produce when ready for harvest, supporting them to become successful agripreneurs.