Author: Ogochukwu Ndubuisi

FG Secures N250bn for Kaduna, Kano Light Rail Projects – Idris The Federal Government (FG) has secured about N250 billion for the development of light rail projects in Kaduna and Kano states. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris made this known on Monday in Abuja at a world press conference on Nigeria’s 65th Independent Anniversary celebrations. The minister said President Bola Tinubu is interested in seeing massive development at the sub-national levels. “Contrary to the perception being pushed at some quarters, this administration has demonstrated uncommon commitment to balanced and inclusive development since assuming office. “The…

Mass Dismissal: TUC Demands Public Apology from Dangote Refinery The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has asked the management of the Dangote Petrochemical Refinery to tender an open apology to the group for the dismissal of more than 800 Nigerian workers. While appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, the Secretary General of TUC, Nuhu Toro, noted that the refinery violated the sacked workers’ constitutional rights. The TUC Chief was reacting to the disagreement between the refinery and the Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over unionisation. “The Dangote and PENGASSAN rift concerns the TUC because…

Equatorial Guinea, ConocoPhillips Sign HOA for Offshore Blocks Equatorial Guinea has signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with energy major ConocoPhillips for Blocks B/4 and EG-27 in a move set to unlock up to $9 billion in investments. The HOA outlines the terms for both blocks development and aims to reinforce the country’s position as a regional gas processing hub. As the country advances its national strategy to accelerate upstream growth and bring new production online, the HOA is seen as a pivotal step towards bolstering natural gas monetization in Central Africa. Signed between ConocoPhillips, Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons…

Reeves Faces Hardest Day, Tax Hikes Loom for November Budget UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is under intense pressure at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Monday, where she must reassure her party and the markets that she can both hold the line on fiscal discipline and answer calls to outflank the populist right. The political tension is unmistakable. With borrowing costs at a decade high and a £20 billion gap in the public finances, the Chancellor is confronting an unforgiving arithmetic. Yields on ten-year gilts hover near 4.75%, the steepest among the G7, tightening the screws…

PDP Ready, Repositioned for 2027 – Fintiri Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is repositioned and ready for the 2027 general elections. Fintiri stated this while speaking with newsmen at the sideline of the party’s state congress in Yola. “We are trying to give birth to a new PDP where everyone will believe, trust and have confidence in. We are really positioned, and we are ready for 2027. “The congress was transparent and fair, the party is moving at supersonic speed and the government has recalibrated the system to provide good governance for the people,”…

Tinubu Seeks Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons President Bola Tinubu has called for total elimination of nuclear weapons all over the world. Tinubu made the call while delivering Nigeria’s statement at the high-level meeting to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons at the UN headquarters in New York. Represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Tinubu said the event reminds the world of shared responsibility and collective resolve to eradicate dangerous weapons. “Nigeria will continue to do its part to ensure total elimination of nuclear weapons is achieved,” Tinubu said. According to…

Dangote Refinery: FG Appeals to PENGASSAN to Shelve Planned Strike The Federal Government has appealed to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to suspend its planned nationwide strike over its dispute with Dangote Refinery. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Muhammad Dingyadi, made the appeal in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. It would be recalled that PENGASSAN had earlier directed its members nationwide to withdraw their services in protest against the alleged sack of Nigerian workers at the Dangote Refinery from midnight on Sunday. The union also accused the management of the refinery…

Foreign Reserves, FX Intervention Positive for Naira Outlook – Notes A robust foreign reserves balance of above $42 billion and sustained FX interventions have been identified as positive drivers of the naira exchange rate outlook.  A slew of analysts expressed the view that the naira could perform as initially expected for 2025 as Nigeria boosts its foreign receipts from oil revenue and foreign investors’ confidence in the local economy. External reserves reached its highest level since 2019 on the back of sustained inflows, and the accretion has failed to slow down. The market now anticipates Nigeria’s foreign reserves to hit…

Zamfara Mine Collapse: FG Mobilises Rescue Operations The Federal Government (FG) has mobilised rescue operations to Kadauri Community in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara, where a mining pit collapsed and killed many miners. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, made the disclosure in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Sunday in Abuja. The incident which occurred on Thursday night trapped several artisanal miners, with 10 confirmed deaths by Zamfara Government. The incident, which followed hours of rainfall, was tied to the influx of illegal miners in the state and irregularities in…

Lagos Seals Lekki Properties, Arrests 5 Over Illegal Dredging The Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development (MWID) has carried out a monitoring and enforcement exercise across the Lekki axis to curb illegal reclamation and dredging along the shores of the Lagos Lagoon. The Commissioner for MWID, Mr Dayo Alebiosu, disclosed this in a statement issued through the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Morenikeji Akodu, on Sunday in Lagos. Alebiosu said the monitoring and enforcement exercise was conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, and the Lands Bureau.…