Headlines

Implicating Documents revealing Alahaji Aliko Dangote’s half brother as part of the sect importing substandard Petroleum from Malta to Nigeria has been uncovered by Journalist.

The Documents obtained show that MRS Oil & Gas Co. Limited, owned by Sayyu Dantata, half-brother of billionaire Aliko Dangote, imports premium motor spirit (PMS) or fuel into Nigeria from Malta.

Dantata is the founder and CEO of MRS Holdings Ltd, formerly known as MRS Group.

Recall that Alahaji Aliko Dangote himself was the one who raised alarm on the Importation of substandard PMS from Malta by some individuals in Nigerian National Petroleum Commission Limited (NNPCL).

He alleged that these NNPC officials had established a refinery in Malta, from which they import inferior fuel into Nigeria in other to sabotage his own rifenery.

He said, “Even at 650,000 bpm and 700,000 bpm that we are producing was a better quality than what was imported. And I am sure most of you will have problems with your vehicle because of the bad fuel that were imported into the country, I still stand by what I said

Indeed, Nigeria’s petroleum imports from Malta skyrocketed to $2.8 billion in 2023, a stark contrast to the previous years: $0 between 2017 and 2022, and a negligible $13.32 million in 2016.

Meanwhile, documents obtained have revealed that Dangote’s half-brother has also been importing fuel from Malta, showing Nigeria’s big players in the petroleum industry have been importing refined fuel from the European country.

One of the documents dated March 4, 2024, is a letter from Moyosola Kuku, General Manager of Risk Management at MRS & Oil Co. Limited, addressed to the Managing Director of NNPCL.

The letter, titled ‘Submission of Shipping/Cargo Documents for Petroleum Product Delivery MT AETHER/SUB with Laycan 17th-19th February 2024,’ provides evidence of fuel importation by MRS from Malta.

The letter from Moyosola Kuku, GM Risk Management at MRS & Oil Co. Limited, referenced attached original documents related to MT AETHER, including: Marine Insurance (Mother Vessel); letter from supplier; bill of lading; certificate of quantity; certificate of quality before loading; certificate of quality after loading; master receipt; notice of readiness loadport; vessel survey report before and after loading; ullage report before and after loading; bunker survey report (fuel oil & diesel oil); cargo pumping log; time log and VEF.

These documents provide detailed information about the fuel shipment.

Also, in a letter addressed to the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) dated March 4, 2024, and signed by Moyosola Kuku, the MRS Oil & Gas Co. Limited General Manager, Risk Management, the firm confirmed the purchase of fuel from OPL Malta.

Part of the letter titled ‘Letter of Advice on Trade to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’, reads, “We, MRS Oil & Gas Co. Ltd, with registered address No 2, Tincan Island Port Road, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria.

“We hereby confirm that MRS Oil & Gas Co. Ltd purchased 91,219.232 Mt Vac of unleaded gasoline 91 Ron from PETROCAM DMCC, which was loaded at the port of OPL Malta, onto vessel MT AETHER with bill of loading dated 19/02/2024…

“In line with the February 2024 spot gasoline supply contract, we subsequently sold full cargo on board MT AETHER (91,219.232 MTV) to NNPC for delivery Offshore Lagos.”

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has given his approval for a new monthly minimum wage of N70,000 for workers in the state and local government.

The state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Emmanuel Fashe, stated that the decision was made during a meeting on Monday afternoon with leaders of organised labour.

Speaking with reporters after the meeting, Fashe revealed that state government employees will receive the new wage this month, while local government workers will see the increase starting next month.

He explained that the new wage will be implemented using the same consequential adjustment table used in 2019 for the previous N32,000 minimum wage, pending the release of updated guidelines from the National Salaries, Wages, and Income Commission.

“Whatever the worker was getting as present national minimum wage of N32,000 as it applies to Adamawa state, that same will be applied in terms of percentages in implementation of the new minimum wage,” Fashe said.

He said Fintiri accepted the N70,000 new minimum wage even before the release of the table from the National Salaries, Wages and Income Commission because he is keen on the welfare of workers.

Barrister Niyi Ijalaye, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ogun State, has passed away.

He reportedly slumped and died in his hotel room in Abuja on Monday evening.

The incident occurred shortly after Ijalaye attended a meeting of RECs at the INEC headquarters.

The meeting, chaired by INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, focused on the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, as well as discussions on seven vacant seats in the National and State Assemblies.

Ijalaye had been in high spirits during the meeting and was seen in photos posted by the Commission, dressed in a blue-striped kaftan and a red cap.

However, he reportedly retired to his hotel room at the Bon Octagon Hotel in the Federal Capital Territory, where the incident took place.

The cause of Ijalaye’s death has not been officially disclosed. He was posted to Ogun State in March 2022, following the transfer of Olusegun Agbaje to Lagos State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not yet released an official statement regarding Ijalaye’s death. His passing has come as a shock, and the circumstances surrounding his death are still unclear.

Tragedy struck in Sokoto State as four military personnel who were part of Operation Hadarin Daji, were killed in an ambush by terrorists in the Bachaka Kurya Forest, located in the Gudu Local Government Area.

Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, confirmed the incident in a statement released in Abuja on Monday.

The ambush took place near the Nigeria-Niger border. The military authorities said in the ensuing firefight, several terrorists were killed, and troops recovered weapons and ammunition.

The statement added, “The corpses of the killed terrorist reveal that it was perpetrated by a terror group from Niger Republic known a Lakurawa. Sadly, 4 of own personnel were killed in the encounter.“The remaining of the terror group escaped into Niger Republic. Troops are however in pursuit to find and destroy the terrorist.”

The Abia State Government has confirmed one case of Monkeypox in the state, according to Commissioner for Information Prince Okey Kanu. Out of 13 suspected cases, one tested positive, nine were negative, and three are still awaiting confirmation, with no fatalities reported so far.

The lone case was recorded in Isialangwa, and the state has established centers for treatment and management, including the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, with more centers to be opened soon.

Special Adviser on Health Dr. Ngozi Azodo emphasized the collaboration between the Ministries of Health, Environment, and Public Utilities to combat infectious diseases.

A steering committee has been set up, and the state has adopted the Federal Government’s “One-Health” policy.

Azodo urged citizens to maintain good hygiene, avoid contact with animals, and steer clear of individuals with suspected cases.

She also announced plans to upgrade 200 Primary Healthcare Centres in 100 days, starting in September, with completion expected by December as a “Christmas gift” to the people of Abia.

The state government is taking steps to strengthen healthcare facilities and maintain high surveillance to prevent the spread of Monkeypox and other infectious diseases.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has notified the Federal Government of its intention to embark on a nationwide strike, issuing a 21-day notice.

This decision was made at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Ibadan.

According to sources within the NEC, the notice is not an ultimatum but a requirement under labor laws, ensuring that all actions are taken in accordance with legal procedures.

ASUU had previously threatened to go on strike due to the non-implementation of agreements reached with the federal government. Despite a meeting with the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on June 26 to address the issues, the agreements remain unimplemented.

Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the national president of ASUU, stated that the meeting with the Minister of Education resulted in an agreement to reconvene after two weeks to assess the government’s progress. However, the government has yet to implement the agreed-upon measures.

Some of the unmet demands include the non-implementation of the 2009 re-negotiated agreements, which have been pending for over six years. Additionally, academic allowances owed to ASUU members have accumulated for over six years, with no action taken.

Regarding the revitalization fund, ASUU agreed to the Needs Assessment Report, which proposed raising N200 billion yearly for five years. However, only one payment has been made since 2013.

ASUU also demands that the government halt the proliferation of universities, as many new institutions are being approved without sufficient funding to operate effectively.

The deputy speaker of the house of representative, Benjamin Kalu in a video, on Monday, said he had already told Governor Otti of Abia State in private that he would not be the governor of the state if he remains in the Labour Party.

Kalu went on to boast that the ruling APC will take over Abia State come 2027.

He added that Ndi Abia also owe the President for appointing him to the number six position in the country and for the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

Kalu stated that while Otti has been delivering good governance he cannot allow Labour Party to be in charge of the state in 2027 election. He said he has to pay the debt he owes the President and the APC.

In reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Otti, Ukoha Njoku, said Ndi Abia will teach the Deputy Speaker in 2027 election.

On his X handle, Njoku wrote, “This would have been funny if not that it is sad.

“However, it must be said that the ultimate deciders of this theory becoming reality or remaining a bad dream, will be the good people of Abia State.

Until then, anyone can say anything. May God keep us alive to be witnesses.

Otti Will Be Reelected Governor – LP Lawmaker, Obi Trashes Kalu’s Claim, Makes Revelation About APC’s Plan to Take Over Abia State

Meanwhile, Labour Party Lawmaker, Hon Obi Aguocha, has fired back at Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu’s claim that APC will take over Abia State in 2027, describing it as a desperate and brazen display of political ambition.

Aguocha, representing Umuahia/Ikwuano Federal Constituency, challenged Kalu to declare his governorship ambition openly, rather than hiding behind his position as Deputy Speaker.

The LP Lawmaker accused Kalu of disrespecting and denigrating the office of the incumbent Governor, Alex Otti, with his open vituperation, and lacking the audacity to declare the seat of the Governor vacant in 2027.

Aguocha’s response came after Kalu’s trending video, where he vowed that APC will take over the Governorship seat in Abia come 2027, sparking rumours of his ambition to contest the seat.

The LP Lawmaker revealed that Kalu’s camp has been boasting about his chances of winning the APC ticket in the state, despite reservations about his political structure and skill to defeat Governor Otti.

Aguocha commended Governor Otti’s achievements, including the removal of ghost workers, infrastructural development, investments in education and health, and his target to turn Aba into the Taiwan of Africa.

The LP Lawmaker advised Kalu to focus on his legislative duties and constituents, rather than engaging in “pugnacious instability” and “intemperate political culture”.

He assured that Abians will repay Governor Otti for his achievements come 2027, and warned Kalu that there is no vacancy in Abia State in 2027.

Aguocha also reminded Kalu that the Labour Party won Bende Federal Constituency (Kalu’s constituency) in 2023 and can declare that seat vacant again.