CALABAR SECTION: Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway - THE SCALE IS MASSIVE!
The transformation is real! Join us for an exclusive, on-the-ground look at the Calabar Section of the multi-billion dollar Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. We’re taking you right into the heart of the construction site to show you the incredible scale of work currently underway.
In this update, we speak directly with the workers and supervisors on-site to get the "real story."
We discuss:
✅ The current progress and what’s been achieved so far.
✅ The challenges the team is facing (including the unpredictable weather).
✅ How this "Mega Road" is already impacting the local community and providing opportunities for the youth.
✅ The projected timeline for completion.
From the heavy machinery in action to the long-term vision for Nigeria’s infrastructure, this video captures why this project is being called a game-changer for the next generation.
What do you think about the progress in the Calabar Section?
In Lagos, many households are turning to power stove and green gel as alternative cooking options amid the rising cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
A power stove user, Kemi Adeniran, said the cooking system is highly affordable and has helped her cut cooking fuel expenses significantly.
“The power stove has reduced my cooking costs by about 70 per cent. In terms of heat intensity, what a gas cooker can do in 40 minutes, I can achieve in about 30 minutes with a power stove. I spend between N3,000 and N4,000 monthly, so it helps me save money,” she said.
Adeniran explained that the stove runs on pellets, which serve as its primary fuel source.
“How much you consume depends on family size and how often you cook. To ignite it, the pellet acts as a catalyst, and I either use paper or fire starters,” she added.
adenigga: Nigerians Turn To Charcoal, Firewood As Cooking Gas Price Skyrockets by adenigga(op): 8:09pm The continued increase in the price of cooking gas by marketers is pushing many Nigerians to use charcoal and firewood, Daily Trust reports
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) had warned that persistent increases in cooking gas prices could trigger widespread public dissatisfaction if urgent interventions are not introduced.[/i]144
The association said marketers are grappling with soaring depot prices, supply constraints, logistics challenges and rising operational costs.
According to NALPGAM, marketers currently pay between N25.2 million and N26.2 million for 20 metric tonnes of LPG, depending on location, a development that has significantly increased the cost of supplying the product to consumers.
NALPGAM noted that the rising cost of LPG has imposed severe hardship on households, food vendors and small businesses that rely on cooking gas for their daily operations.
It warned that many families could be compelled to abandon LPG and return to traditional cooking fuels such as firewood and charcoal if prices continue to rise beyond their purchasing power.
According to the association, such a shift would reverse years of progress made in promoting cleaner and safer cooking energy across the country.
It stressed that ongoing government efforts and public awareness campaigns encouraging the adoption of LPG are under threat as affordability continues to decline.
The marketers further called for urgent measures to address the challenges affecting the sector, warning that failure to stabilise prices could undermine national clean-energy goals and increase dependence on environmentally harmful cooking alternatives.
Kaduna residents lament rising cost
Maimuna Sani, a mother of two based in Kaduna, said she now uses cooking gas only in the mornings because it is safer and allows her to prepare breakfast quickly so her children can get to school on time. On weekends, however, she relies on charcoal due to the high cost of gas.
She said charcoal, which sells for between N200 and N500 per measure, has become a cheaper alternative.
“To be honest, charcoal is more economical than gas. With just N200 worth of charcoal, you can prepare a meal, unlike gas,” she said.
Maimuna recalled that the last time she bought gas was about a month ago, when it sold for N1,200 per kilogram. She spent N14,000 on the purchase and expressed concern over the latest increase in price.
Another resident of Dan Mani community, Kaduna, Badamasi Isa Adamu, said his household alternates between gas and charcoal depending on available income.
“When I have money, I buy gas, but when I don’t, I go back to charcoal. At the moment, we only use gas to boil water in the morning so the children can drink tea before going to school.
“For the rest of our cooking, we use charcoal. Even when I buy gas, I usually purchase only three or four kilograms. The last time I bought it, it cost N1,400 per kilogram, and it has already finished,” he said.
Similarly, Bello Idris said gas in his home is now reserved mainly for boiling water, while charcoal is used for most cooking.
“I recently bought gas at N1,600 per kilogram. Honestly, it pains me because I struggled to afford it,” he said.
He lamented that many households had embraced cooking gas because of its convenience, but rising prices were forcing them back to charcoal.
“Now it has become too expensive again, which is why we have returned to using charcoal. The government should help make it more affordable for ordinary people,” he added.
Charcoal becoming expensive in Kano
Checks by Daily Trust in Kano revealed that the price of a kilogram of gas is between N1,500 and N1,550, as against the N1,100 it sold last month.
Aisha Suleiman, a mother of five in Kano, said she abandoned gas after struggling to refill her cylinder.
“We used to buy gas at N1,100 per kilogram, but now it is very high. I cannot afford it. I switched to charcoal. A bag costs around N8,000 and lasts me almost two weeks. It is stressful, but at least I can cook without worrying about refilling every few days,” she explained.
Malam Ibrahim Kabiru said firewood has become his family’s main option since his house is spacious enough to accommodate cooking outside the kitchen.
[i]“Gas is now for the rich. I go to the outskirts to buy firewood at N1,000 per bundle. It lasts longer than gas, though it produces smoke, and my children complain, but we have no choice. Even charcoal is becoming expensive nowadays,” he said.
Another housewife, Maryam Ali, who also sells charcoal, said their sales have increased recently due to the way people are switching to it from gas.
She said, “Now, I sell my charcoal almost two times faster than I used to do just a few weeks ago, courtesy of the cooking gas price hike. People are complaining and say it is not affordable,” she added.
Maryam also said many people opted for charcoal and firewood during Sallah when people needed to fry their meat amidst the price hike.
Charcoal making waves in Rivers, Bayelsa, Borno
Most residents of Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Yenagoa, Bayelsa State are resorting to using charcoal stoves to prepare their foods.
A resident of Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, Victory Elechi, said since the price of gas is becoming unaffordable and kerosene is even costlier, the best way to manage her family in terms of preparing food is to make use of a charcoal stove.
She said for the past two weeks she has used the charcoal stove, it has been less expensive for her, instead of buying a kg of gas for N1,700.
“All I need now is to buy the charcoal at a cheaper rate, and of course, the stove is not costly either, it’s more affordable, and it doesn’t bring out smoke.
“Two of my neighbours have also purchased the charcoal stove, it’s the cheapest means to cook at the moment. When the gas price comes down, I can go back to using gas,” she said.
Ebide Elvis said the charcoal stove is just the best at the moment.
She said with the current economic realities in the country, it’s ideal for one to use what she can afford, adding that an electric stove would have been the best option if not for the challenge of epileptic power supply.
In Borno, some of the households interviewed said the high cost of gas has forced them to resort to using charcoal and firewood.
A housewife, Aisha Abubakar, said the price of gas has risen from N18,000 to N20,600 for 12.5kg within one week, which compelled her to abandon it.
“I bought a charcoal stove at the cost of N8,000 and a bag of charcoal for N8,500 and started using it. I’m now using it comfortably without any problem,” he said.
Abubakar said her only fear is the rumour going around that the price of charcoal will also increase.
“I don’t know how people will survive if the price of charcoal increases. I pray that the gas price will normalise so that we continue using it,” she said.
Another resident, Sadiq Haruna, said the cost of cooking gas is out of reach; therefore, they resorted to using charcoal and firewood.
“I now have peace of mind. I used to spend one-third of my salary on cooking gas. I bought a bag of charcoal for N9,000 with some firewood. For one week now, we have used less than one-fourth. It is very cheap and reliable,” he said.
Ahmed Aji, a charcoal dealer at Bulunkutu Tsallake, said that since the gas price went up, many people started patronising his business.
“I can assure you that, within one week, our sales have increased by 20 per cent,” he said.
Asked if the price of charcoal had increased, he said, “The price has not changed in the past one month,” he said.
Lagos residents turn to power stove
In Lagos, many households are turning to power stove and green gel as alternative cooking options amid the rising cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
A power stove user, Kemi Adeniran, said the cooking system is highly affordable and has helped her cut cooking fuel expenses significantly.
“The power stove has reduced my cooking costs by about 70 per cent. In terms of heat intensity, what a gas cooker can do in 40 minutes, I can achieve in about 30 minutes with a power stove. I spend between N3,000 and N4,000 monthly, so it helps me save money,” she said.
Adeniran explained that the stove runs on pellets, which serve as its primary fuel source.
“How much you consume depends on family size and how often you cook. To ignite it, the pellet acts as a catalyst, and I either use paper or fire starters,” she added.
Another resident, Ruth Dahunsi, said her mother uses Green Gel as an alternative cooking fuel because it is cheaper than cooking gas.
She, however, noted that the product is not widely available.
“Green Gel is not very common and can only be found at a limited number of filling stations,” she said.
The founder of PowerStove Energy, Okey Esse, said demand for the product has increased considerably as more households seek affordable alternatives to LPG.
“Both low- and middle-income households are feeling the impact of rising prices of cooking gas and charcoal. The cost of both energy sources has gone up significantly,” he said.
According to him, the power stove has maintained a stable retail price of N300 per kilogram over the past three years despite rising costs in the energy market.
“What we have guaranteed our customers and prospective users is price stability. For the past three years, there has been no variation in our retail price,” he added.
In Gombe state, the recent hike in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, is forcing many households to reduce consumption and resort to alternative cooking fuels such as charcoal and firewood.
The cost of cooking gas, which has risen in recent weeks from around N1,200 per kilogram to around N1,500, has put additional pressure on families already struggling with the high cost of living.
Some residents who depend on cooking gas for domestic use said they have been forced to cut down on consumption due to the rising costs.
According to Usman Adamu, a cooking gas user, many families can no longer afford the quantities they previously purchased.
He said, “Now, instead of people buying 5kg or 12 kg, people are forced to buy less than that, thereby reducing the period the refilled cylinder could last in their respective homes.
“Refilling a 12kg cylinder that costs around N14,000 and usually lasts a month could no longer be possible, because of the high cost, people are now buying what they can afford. As such, they have to combine it with charcoal or firewood. The increase in price has really affected us.”
Another resident, Kamal Adamu, said households are adopting strategies to manage the increasing energy expenses.
“Due to the increase in cooking gas prices, we now use gas only when necessary and rely on charcoal for other cooking needs as a way of managing household expenses,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that owners of cooking gas outlets are complaining of low patronage because of the sudden increase in the price.
Malam Baba Alhaji, who operates a cooking gas outlet near Tashan Dukku, said an increase in the wholesale prices has negatively affected sales and threatened the livelihoods of gas retailers.
“From March until recently, we sold one kilogram at around N1,240, but now it is being sold at between N1,500 and N1,600 in some places. Because of this, customers have reduced significantly, and it is becoming a serious threat to our business,” he said.
Baba Alhaji added that the development also raised concerns among residents and environmental advocates, “who fear that increased dependence on charcoal and firewood could worsen deforestation and expose families to health risks associated with indoor air pollution.”
He, therefore, urged the government and relevant agencies to implement measures that would stabilise the cooking gas prices and make cleaner energy sources more affordable for households.
Residents in Jos, Plateau State, said they have resorted to using charcoal instead of gas, stressing that charcoal is cheaper and the only alternative to cooking gas.
Maman Hasan, a housewife, said she had resorted to using charcoal since the rise in the price of cooking gas because “I cannot afford gas. It is very expensive.”
Another resident, Inusa Ibrahim, said: “The only alternative for us now is charcoal. We don’t have another option. Even firewood is more expensive compared to charcoal. I am now using charcoal.”
Women risk health challenges
Speaking with Daily Trust, Prof. Dayo Ayoade, an energy law expert at the University of Lagos, said the problem is all part of the entire energy paradox of Nigeria, where a very wealthy country struggles to supply energy resources to its people at a reasonable price.
He added that the cause of the increase is global due to the Middle East conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and internal supply chain constraints.
He added that low- and middle-income households are particularly vulnerable to the high cost of cooking gas, adding that without access to clean and more convenient LPG usage, people will now retreat to traditional methods such as charcoal and firewood.
He said this mode of cooking has long been associated with respiratory diseases, carbon monoxide poisoning and even lung cancer risk.
He said, “So, women and young children, girls especially, bear a very significant portion of the risk because they’re the ones that stay in the kitchen, and also they’re the ones that will go and look for this firewood, meaning that they may not have access to education anymore, and it will reverse all we have been saying about girl child education.
“Also, using traditional fuel bears significant environmental risks and implications. For instance, we have a lot of deforestation going on, the destruction of the habitat of both animal and plant life.
“We’ve lost a lot of biodiversity over the years because of this, something we can never recover again. Also, we have the climate change aspects because burning pollutants will aid global warming, which is an issue that cannot be ignored.
“And then economically, vulnerable families who are poor already now have to spend their scarce resources on healthcare and all these challenges. This means that the overall productivity of the economy suffers, and that’s a big problem.”
He urged the federal government to intervene in the LPG price to stabilise it.
“If they want to provide subsidies, which is not a good idea in the long run, that’s one option on the table. However, they can improve the logistics for transporting, production, and storage of LPG, which will always be useful. And of course, we need to adopt and keep using clean cooking technologies to ensure we have sustainable development in line with SDG 7, which is on affordable and clean energy,” he said.
The King of Asaba HRM Azinge already stated that Asaba folks are of paternal Igala ethnic descent (WITHOUT denying the part maternal descent from Nteje in the current Anambra State).Is it too difficult for that boy in this video above to understand what he just read as the Asagba of Asaba's comments or is that boy and his ilk tone-deaf?
akingangan: The tracksuit worn by the beheader in the teacher beheading video looks similar to that of the Fulani caught in Osun Forest by the vigilantes.
Hunters found Fulani herdsmen in a forest in Imesi-Ile, Osun State. Despite denying any link to banditry, the herdsmen were taken to the police for investigation.
UPDATE: The hunters entered the forest and encountered some Fulani herdsmen with their cows in Imesi-Ile, Osun state. The herdsmen insisted that they were not båndits, but the hunters refused to listen to them. They questioned why they had chosen to live inside the forest. The… https://t.co/sUhTRFeLlepic.twitter.com/vcxuE9vdTo
Those Fulas seen right in the video in the forests of Imesi-Ile, Osun State (near the Ekiti State and Osun State land border area) are foreign Fulas (real Bororos) based on their facial looks and skin complexions. Enough of the abuse of this highly ridiculous "ECOWAS Free Trade" movement of these people with their cattle across the Sahelian borders into all parts of Nigeria. All Nigerian ethnic groups of over 300, and their indigenous communities MUST rise up and say enough is enough of these highly IRRESPONSIBLE and disrespectful movements from the foreign Fulas from as far as the Sahelian countries of Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Niger into Nigeria.
Nigerians MUST urgently make do WITHOUT these imported Fula cow meat [and develop massive industries managed by the indigenes of every State of Nigeria] in other meat and livestock ecosystems using improved breeds of chickens, turkeys, goats, sheep, grasscutters, ostriches, quails, crossbred cattle that produce far more meat and milk than the haggard-looking foreign Fula cows imported from the Sahelian countries into Nigeria, etc. Period.
IbileIfe: While Apple maintains the same core hardware (like processors and cameras) worldwide, iPhones sold in the USA are structurally different from those sold in Africa. Because there are no official Apple Retail Stores in Africa, devices are imported from various regions and differ in several key ways:
SIM Card Support: USA models (iPhone 14 and newer) are completely eSIM-only and do not have a physical SIM tray. African markets typically import international versions from Europe, the Middle East, or Asia, which usually still retain at least one physical SIM slot.
Cellular & 5G Bands: USA models include millimeter-wave (mmWave) 5G antennas tailored for US carriers, which are often not present on models imported to Africa.
Model Numbers: iPhones destined for different markets have distinct model numbers. For example, US devices end in "LL/A", while those meant for Europe or the Middle East may end in "B/A" or "AE/A".
Regional Restrictions: Some features are disabled depending on where the phone was originally sourced. For instance, Middle Eastern variants sometimes disable FaceTime due to local government restrictions.
Purchasing & Warranty Caution If you are buying an iPhone in Nigeria (or elsewhere in Africa) from independent retailers or third-party importers, it is common to encounter used "foreign-used" or refurbished devices (often referred to locally as "London-used" or "USA-used".
Apple does not offer global warranties for iPhones, so official Apple support or screen replacements for US models might not be honored in Africa. To check your device's origin, go to Settings > General > About and look at the letters right before the slash in the Model Number.
Before you buy, you can verify your device's exact specifications or country of origin by entering its model number on The iPhone Wiki.
Islie: Lere Olayinka recently came under heavy criticism from Nigerians after leaking Ike’s voter information through an INEC administrative webpage.
By Ayomide Tella and Donatus Anichukwueze
Actor Emeka Ike says he is prepared to take action against Lere Olayinka, media aide to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, over the exposure of his data from the portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ike contested for the House of Representatives seat for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) and lost.
Olayinka recently came under heavy criticism from Nigerians after leaking Ike’s voter information through an INEC administrative webpage.
On his X handle on Saturday, Olayinka tweeted that Ike was formerly a registered voter in Imo State before transferring his registration to the FCT on May 15.
He attached two images to the post, which many believed contained details obtained from INEC’s administrative login portal.
Some of the personal information contained in the screenshots included Ike’s application number, registration centre, Voter Identification Number (VIN), profile picture, name and date of application.
Reacting to the development on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Ike described Olayinka’s action as shocking and the height of political rascality.
“It’s quite shocking, extreme and it is the height of political rascality for government officer to access a citizen’s information from the INEC cyber. It tells you a lot, shows how much impunity we have flying around there and people have access to the things they shouldn’t be having access to and that’s quite deplorable and I see that as a huge insult and slap on every political party and every Nigerian.
“He is telling every Nigerian that whoever you are, I can pull your information from anywhere and I can do what I want and that rascality needs to be stopped,” he said.
The actor said he was ready to challenge Olayinka for exposing his private details to the public.
“Actions are ready, I’m ready to take him on. He has no right to exploit my privacy and insult Nigerians the way he did. If he has been doing it in the past, this should be the last time he does it.”
Speaking further on the breakfast programme, Ike explained the reason behind his decision to contest for the House of Representatives seat in the FCT.
“I actually wanted to run in my state but a couple of people came to me, it was like a clarion call. People came to me and told me, ‘sir, you need to do this now, we need you in Abuja’.
“And I’m like you know I’m already trying to run in my state, but they insisted and the surge was high and I considered it seeing the relevant issues they brought on board and I said okay fine let’s see how we can build Abuja. A municipal area needs to be properly guarded and looked into, so I decided to shift to Abuja,” Ike said.
WriterNig: 13 Million People In Germany Live In Poverty As Rate Skyrockets To 16.1%
🇩🇪 Germany's poverty rate surged to a record high of 16.1% in 2025, leaving around 13.3 million people listed as poor, according to a report released on Tuesday by the Parity Welfare Association, an umbrella group for charitable organizations in the country.
“Social divisions in Germany are widening. 13.3 million people live in poverty, and the poverty rate has risen to 16.1 percent.
"At the same time, the gap between regions and demographic groups is growing. While poverty is increasing overall, it is becoming particularly entrenched among older adults, women, and single parents," Joachim Rock, the executive director of the association, said in a statement.
“We are seeing a society that is drifting further apart socially. People can feel this. Discussing yet more cuts now fuels fear and uncertainty. This plays into the hands of populists and extremists,” he added.
According to the EU's definition, people are considered at risk of poverty if their income is below 60% of the national median. In Germany, that threshold was €1,446 ($1,683) per month for a single-person household and €3,036 for a household with two adults and two children under 14.
The report said many households were having a hard time to cover everyday expenses as 6.9% of the population lacked sufficient income last year to meet regular living costs, among them higher energy bills and replacing essential household appliances.
With a poverty rate of 19.5%, nearly one in five people aged 65 and older is now affected. Among women over 75, the figure is as high as 21.3%. People living alone face a particularly high risk of poverty at 30.3%, while single parents face a risk of 28.9%.
Where Nigeria Politicians, Major Generals, Oil Money And Richest People Live
Welcome to one of the most exclusive and luxurious estates in Abuja — NAF Valley Estate, Asokoro. From massive billionaire mansions to quiet luxury, premium security, and breathtaking architecture, this estate is where Abuja’s elite truly live.
SecuritybriefNg: Viral Camouflage Video Raises Fresh Questions About Security Oversight In Nigeria
A viral video circulating on social media has sparked widespread debate after armed individuals were reportedly seen wearing military-style camouflage, raising concerns about how such materials find their way into unauthorized hands.
The footage has triggered intense reactions from Nigerians, many of whom are questioning whether existing controls over military-related clothing and equipment are strong enough to prevent misuse.
Security analysts have long warned that the use of military-style uniforms by criminal groups can create confusion during attacks, making it difficult for civilians to distinguish between legitimate security personnel and impostors. This can undermine public confidence and complicate emergency responses during security incidents.
The latest controversy has also fueled discussions about accountability within supply chains linked to military apparel and accessories. While there is currently no official evidence linking any specific individual or organization to the uniforms seen in the video, many citizens are calling for a thorough investigation into how such materials are produced, distributed, and monitored.
Beyond the camouflage itself, the incident highlights broader concerns about insecurity and the evolving tactics used by criminal groups across different parts of the country.
As authorities continue efforts to tackle banditry, kidnapping, and other security threats, many Nigerians believe that preventing unauthorized access to military-style equipment should be an important part of the conversation.
The questions being asked online remain simple but significant: How are these uniforms reaching criminal elements, and what measures can be put in place to prevent similar incidents in the future? Watch Full Video Here Below;
nlfpmod: Enugu State Government launches London-style double-decker buses, with video footage showing the green vehicles' modern exterior branding, including "Experience Enugu" and the governor's image, alongside clean interiors with yellow handrails and upper-deck seating.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has said it would be “evil” for Deltans to vote against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, citing the president’s ties to the state through First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television aired on Tuesday, Oborevwori said Tinubu remains the only likely presidential contender with a direct affiliation to Delta State and should therefore enjoy the support of the people.
“Among the candidates that emerged, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the only one that has an affiliation to Delta State,” the governor said.
“The man is an in-law here, and it would be evil to vote against your in-law. It’s a family affair. In the South-South, the people in Delta are saying this is their own. They were deceived before; now they can’t.”
The governor also credited the first lady with strengthening the president’s support base in the state, particularly among the Itsekiri ethnic group.
“The First Lady is holding the state strong, and no Itsekiri person will vote against Tinubu. No Urhobo man will because their son is the governor,” he said.
Oborevwori further defended the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, arguing that recent reforms have boosted revenue available to states.
“The confidence we have is in the people. His reforms and programmes are working very well. Sometimes when I commission projects and tell people we have money, it’s because of the reforms. If they are not working, we won’t get money,” he added.
The governor’s remarks come months after First Lady Oluremi Tinubu was conferred with the traditional title of Utukpa-Oritse of the Warri Kingdom, also known as Ugbone, meaning “Light of God”, by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, during a ceremony in Warri in February 2026.
The current Nigerian President 'Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his team and political party have to prove themselves by getting down to business in advanced security deployment, reducing artificial inflation in urban housing, food, transportation, etc.It's NOT gonna be a walkover for them in Delta State, Lagos State, Ogun State, Osun State, Oyo State, Rivers State, etc, because the next election cycle would be performance-based. Period.
Agriculture › Re: "Emus & Ostriches" by AlphaTaikun(op): 5:44am On Jun 05
.