Author

Nelson Ugwuagbo

Pengassan
Headlines

FG Brokers Peace Between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal Government has resolved the dispute between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) after two days of conciliation meetings.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, announced the outcome in a statement issued early Wednesday, noting that the talks produced key agreements.

According to the statement, the parties agreed that unionisation is a fundamental right of workers under Nigerian law and must be respected.

On the issue of staff disengagement, the meeting resolved that the management of Dangote Group will immediately begin redeploying affected employees to other companies within the group, without any loss of pay.

The statement also affirmed that no worker would face victimisation over their role in the dispute.

PENGASSAN, on its part, pledged to commence the process of calling off its strike action, while both sides committed to implementing the resolutions in good faith.

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Bola Tinubu
Headlines

Tinubu Calls for Productivity, Nigeria First at 65th Independence Anniversary Message

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to embrace productivity, innovation and enterprise as the nation marks its 65th Independence Anniversary.

In a message posted on X, the President said the federal government will continue to “fix the plumbing in the economy,” but stressed that citizens and sub-national governments must also play their part in nation-building.

“We must all turn on the taps of productivity, innovation, and enterprise, just like the Ministry of Interior has done with our travel passports, by quickening the processing,” Tinubu stated.

He called on states to support federal efforts, adding that the country must prioritise local production, agriculture, and manufacturing.

“Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first. Let us pay our taxes,” the President wrote.

Tinubu expressed optimism that with unity and faith, Nigeria can achieve prosperity and self-reliance.

“With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here,” he added.

 

“Happy 65th Independence Anniversary, and may God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

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Bola Tinubu
Headlines

FG Approves ₦4trn Debt Refinancing Plan for Power Sector

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal Government has approved a ₦4 trillion debt refinancing plan to settle legacy debts owed to 27 power generation companies (GenCos) for electricity supplied between 2015 and 2023.

The intervention is designed to restore liquidity in the power sector, boost investor confidence, and stabilise electricity supply across the country.

The debts, estimated at ₦4 trillion, arose from unpaid invoices by the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET). The backlog triggered a chain reaction of withheld gas supply, reduced generation capacity, and weak performance by distribution companies (DisCos).

Under the refinancing arrangement, the government will restructure and clear verified debts through a mix of bonds, treasury instruments, and phased cash payments.

Officials say the plan will provide relief to GenCos and gas suppliers, strengthen balance sheets, and attract fresh capital into the sector. It will also enable prompt payments to gas suppliers, improved plant maintenance, and expanded generation capacity, ultimately reducing outages and supporting economic productivity.

The Ministry of Power and the Debt Management Office (DMO) will manage the disbursements, with strict verification and auditing measures in place. Periodic updates will be published to ensure transparency and prevent a repeat of debt accumulation.

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Dangote
Headlines

TUC Vows To To Join Strike If Negotiations Between Dangote, PENGASSAN Fail

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has placed its members on red alert amid the ongoing dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The TUC Chairman in Kano State, Comrade Mubarak Buba Yarima, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with reporters.

Yarima, a former member of PENGASSAN, said the union was prepared to join the strike if today’s Abuja meeting involving the Federal Government, PENGASSAN, and the management of the refinery fails to yield a resolution.

“We have already placed our members on red alert. Once we receive a communiqué from PENGASSAN, we are ready to act. You cannot trample on workers’ rights and expect us to keep quiet,” he stated.

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Atiku Abubakar
Headlines

ADC Adamawa Gives Atiku, Babachir Ultimatum to Register Membership

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued an ultimatum to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and other prominent figures in the party to revalidate their membership at their respective wards before the end of the year or risk losing recognition.

Speaking in Yola, the Adamawa State Chairman of the ADC, Shehu Yohanna, said the party had unveiled its membership register and stressed that only those with valid membership cards would be acknowledged.

“Atiku Abubakar should go to his ward in Jada Local Government and register, while Babachir Lawal should do the same in Hong Local Government. That is the only way they can be treated as legitimate members of the party,” Yohanna stated.

He warned that it was unconstitutional for individuals to take decisions or hold leadership positions in the party without being duly registered.

“You cannot be taking decisions for a party you are not constitutionally a member of. All of you should register for the greatness of our party. It is illegal for someone to hold a leadership position at the national level without being a registered member. That makes a caricature of the party,” Yohanna declared.

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Abuja Bus Terminal
Headlines

Abuja Bus Terminals Remain Shut 100 Days After Tinubu’s commissioning

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The two bus terminals recently commissioned by President Bola Tinubu have remained locked for more than three months after their inauguration, leaving commuters in Abuja to grapple with transportation challenges.

The multi-million naira projects were commissioned in June as part of activities to mark Tinubu’s second term in office.

The facilities are located in Kugbo, along the Abuja-Nyanya-Mararaba road, and in Mabushi, along the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua way.

A third terminal in the Central Business Area is still under construction.

The projects were conceived by the Nyesom Wike-led FCT administration to address Abuja’s chaotic transport system.

In May 2024, Wike awarded the contracts, saying the initiative would enhance security, reduce “one chance” incidents, and provide jobs for residents.

The terminals, designed to process more than 10,000 passengers daily and host 120 buses and taxis, also include cinemas, food courts, and shopping spaces.

Despite the fanfare, Daily Trust reports that the completed terminals remain shut.

Some Nigerians stated that the closure shows nothing has changed since the commissioning.

“What was all the noise about then? Nothing has changed since the so-called commissioning. No buses, nothing. The two facilities have remained closed since then,” Joseph Iwalekun, a resident, said.

Ifeoma Job, a civil servant, described the situation as disappointing.

“How can you commission something and still keep it under lock for more than three months? It is unfortunate because commuters’ suffering continues,” she queried.

Chinedu Elechi, mandate secretary for the FCT transport secretariat, said operations would begin once procurement processes under a public-private partnership are concluded.

“The difference between government and private is bureaucracy. So once the procurement process is done on hiring the operator, we’re good to go,” he said.

 

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Nigerian Army
Headlines

Army Court Hands Life Sentences to Soldiers over Illegal Arms Trade in Maiduguri

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

A Special Court-Martial of the Nigerian Army sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State, has sentenced four soldiers for their involvement in illegal arms sales to police officers and terrorist groups.

The trial, held at the Officers’ Mess of the Theatre Command Headquarters, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), was presided over by Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander of Sector 1, OPHK.

Delivering judgment, the court president, Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullahi, convicted Sergeant Raphael Ameh, Sergeant Ejiga Musa, and Lance Corporal Patrick Ocheje, sentencing each of them to life imprisonment.

Corporal Omitoye Rufus was also found guilty and handed a 15-year prison term.

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Davido
Entertainment

Davido Gifts Wife Chioma 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon Worth ₦240m

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Nigerian Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has gifted his wife, Chioma Rowland, a brand-new 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.

The luxury SUV, recently released to the global market, is valued at over $150,000 (approximately ₦240 million), depending on specifications. The 2025 edition features a refreshed design and electric model options, marking a significant upgrade from earlier versions.

In a video shared on his Instagram Story on Wednesday, Davido revealed that he traded in a previous model and added more funds to secure the latest version.

“First of all, we had to take the one I got, then obviously add more money to get the new one,” he explained, while describing the purchase as a gesture of love.

The singer, visibly excited, declared, “Only the best for my lady.”

When Chioma received the G-Wagon, she was visibly thrilled, as Davido hyped the moment and cheered her on.

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CBN
Business

CBN Cuts Interest Rate to 27% as Inflation Eases

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday reduced the benchmark interest rate from 27.5 percent to 27 percent, citing a sustained decline in inflation over the past five months.

CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, announced the decision at a press briefing in Abuja following the two-day 302nd meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

Cardoso said the rate cut was unanimously agreed upon by MPC members to support economic activity while maintaining price stability.

In addition to the rate adjustment, the MPC raised the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) to 45 percent for Deposit Money Banks and 16 percent for Merchant Banks. The committee also adjusted the asymmetric corridor to +250/-250 basis points around the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), while retaining the liquidity ratio at 30 percent.

The decision comes amid sustained calls from industrial stakeholders and manufacturers for a reduction in the MPR to ease borrowing costs and lower production expenses.

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Botswana
Africa & World

Botswana President Leads Africa’s New Push for Border-Free Travel

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Botswana newly elected President has taken a landmark step toward regional integration by securing a free border agreement with Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Zambia.

Under the new arrangement, citizens of the four southern African nations can now travel across borders using only their national identity cards, eliminating visa requirements.

The initiative, championed by the Botswana leader, is being hailed as a bold push for freedom of movement within the region and a break from restrictive travel barriers rooted in colonial-era borders.

The development comes as momentum grows across the continent for greater mobility. Kenya recently announced it would open its borders to all African nationals without visas, reinforcing the call for unity and ease of travel across the continent.

Analysts say the Botswana-led agreement signals a shift in policy that places African dignity, cooperation, and integration at the heart of governance.

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