iwaeda:


In the days of Goodluck, Ojota would have been filled, but now they barbed wired the place. At N800, people are queueing to buy, but when you talk they call you names. Anyways, it is favouring me and my family.

The nation’s fuel shortage appears to have worsened, yesterday, as filling stations ran out of stocks, thus shutting their gates against motorists and other users of the product.


Checks by Vanguard in Lagos showed there were long queues at filling stations with commercial stocks of the product as panic buying continued across the state.

Illegal operators hawk fuel in Lagos
Illegal operators were also seen hawking the product along Ikorodu Road, Maryland and Marina, due mainly to the absence of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority, NMDRA, industry regulator, to enforce compliance.

Also in Abuja, petrol supply situation grew worse yesterday as more filling stations ran out of stock while black marketers hiked their price to N1,500 per litre.

Checks by Vanguard showed that most petrol stations including outlets owned by major marketers in the central area of the city were shut down.

NNPC station opens, selling
However, NNPC Retail mega station and NIPCO stations continued to dispense with long queues seen at the stations located in Karu, Airport Road and the Central Business District.

The supply difficulty which the NNPC Limited blamed on logistics challenge and flooding in the coastal areas continued into the sixth day despite assurances from government officials that the challenges were being resolved.

Minister of State assures consumers
The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said that normalcy was being restored.

In a post on his verified social media handle X (formerly Twitter), the Minister wrote: “Dear Nigerians, I understand the frustration many of you are feeling due to the fuel queues in cities such as Abuja. Recent flooding on the trucking route and unavoidable logistical challenges due to weather concerns have temporarily disrupted our distribution chain.


“I assure you that our dedicated team is working round the clock to resolve these issues. We are committed to restoring normal fuel supply as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time”.

Fuel scarcity: When greed, corruption and sabotage form an alliance
FG should tackle issues behind shortages – TUC
However, the President General, Trade Union Congress, TUC, and President of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Festus Osifo, yesterday, urged the federal government to tackle logistics, weather and other issues, currently stalling supply to motorists and other users of the product in all parts of Nigeria.

He stated this during an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the ongoing Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Women Annual Convention, PWAC, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said: “We will continuously have perennial oil scarcity until we do what is right. There is no silver bullet today that is going to stop the scarcity that will come periodically. About a week ago, if you are driving between Ayele and Auchi, you realize that some people sleep on that road for two days, and the road is completely cut off.

“So if you are bringing the product from Port Harcourt, for example, and coming to Abuja, you need to pass through that road, depending on where you are bringing the product from. So the roads today are bad. If you check different parts of the world, how many countries are using tankers to supply PMS or supply AGO; it is not done. Naturally, what is done is the use of pipelines, and in some cases, they use rails.


“If you go to the Western world, you see some rails that have over 2,000 tanks. Railway lines, whether it is in the rainy season, or dry season, are okay to go. So until we imbibe technology, until we fix our pipelines, until we fix our depots, that are also key. If the depots that we have, if the nooks and crannies of Nigeria today are all working, then we could have had reserve stocks in those depots. So that when our roads are bad, we can get those depots that are closer to the major cities, you have fuel supply. Then when the roads are good, you restock them, and at the end, you go back to business as usual.

“So we must be able to deepen the facilities of oil and gas logistics, if we don’t do that, perennially we will have it. So we must be able to sit down and define our distribution value chain in oil and gas logistics. Until we do that, this problem, we will solve it now, but in the next few months, it will come back.”

FG should tackle problems — PETROAN
Similarly, the National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, Billy Gillis-Harry, said: “Snake-like queues have been seen at filling stations across the country. The situation has worsened traffic in states as the long queues spilt on major roads, hindering vehicular movement just as thousands of people were stranded at bus stops with transport fares doubling the previous amounts.

Aside from NNPC filling stations selling at about ¦ 570 in Lagos, retail outlets owned by independent marketers jerked up their prices from about ¦ 615 to over ¦ 650. The prices are far higher in Abuja and other states.

He confirmed that the NNPC, which imports petrol into the country and supplies marketers, has not changed its price but “if we do not get the product directly from NNPC, we will get it from depots struggling to do everything to get products out in the market, so the prices will not be the same”.


He said the NNPC was carrying out an upgrade on its platform and that should be concluded as soon as possible “but that did not stop NNPC from making alternative arrangements to make sure we have petroleum products. As far as we know, the challenges are all supply-based”.

“If there is anybody to be blamed; it should be blamed from the source of the products because retailers only sell what we are given, we do not import or refine,” he added.

Gillis-Harry said the cost of logistics was getting more complex daily because diesel used by trucks has also become scarce and expensive. He said the prices of logistics for fuel distribution across Nigeria should be subsidised by the government.

He denied the allegations that petrol marketers are taking advantage of Nigerians by hiking the prices of the commodity, adding that the highest cost of petrol should not be more than ¦ 680.
“I would expect that the highest price of petrol where the depots operate – Lagos, Delta, Calabar, Rivers State – should be anything between ¦ 620 to ¦ 680 maximum.

‘’When you add all the transportation issues that should take it from state to state, you can then look at the incremental additions that can come in, and make us not to be selling at ¦ 1,000,” Gillis-Harry said.


Forex shortage
The PETROAN chief said forex shortages have impeded the importation of petroleum products into the country hence limiting the full operationalisation of the deregulation of the sector.

“If we are importing products in a way that the deregulation is set for us to be able to import, which we desire to do, but we are hamstrung by the unavailability of foreign exchange to make that endeavour work.

‘’Even though we don’t want Nigeria to be an import-centred place for PMS, we need PMS to be able to work until our refineries are producing,” he said.

Gillis-Harry urged Nigerians to be patient and understanding as the current fuel shortages would be resolved.

The Management of Media Trust Group, owners of Daily Trust, Trust TV and Trust Radio, has reacted to the threat of the Federal Government to sue the publication over a report on Samoa agreement.

At a media briefing in Abuja, on Saturday, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information, had described the report on the agreement as “baseless and sensational”.

He also accused Daily Trust of attempting to set the country on fire, saying an issue not as severe as such made other governments clamped down on the media.

“On the part of the Government, we continue on the honourable path of civility by restraining ourselves from taking self-help or draconian measures. While past governments clamped down on the media for infractions much lower than this, we are however toeing the path of civility and the rule of law.”


“The Federal Government is lodging a formal complaint to the NPAN Ombudsman on this irresponsible reporting. In addition, the Federal Government will use every lawful means to seek redress in the court of law,” he had said.

But responding in a statement signed by Maryam Aminu Bello, Esq, the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser,

Media Trust Group, the newspaper said, “Two ministers of government, and other sundry commentators have taken us to the cleaners over our story on the Samoa Agreement in particular, and some other reports published earlier. We have followed with attention what these government officials said, and left unsaid, and we will publish that in full, for the records. We have also acknowledged lapses in our reporting on this particular matter, pointed out to us by professional colleagues, and we will review and take appropriate measures.

“As our editors understood it, the Samoa Agreement signed by Nigeria has expanded the definition of gender rights, from the traditional male-female, to a new norm, captured by the term LGBTQ (Lesbian; Bi-sexual, Gay, Transgender and Queer). That is the crux of the matter.

“If the agreement does not aim at promoting such new orientation, widely accepted in Western countries, then we are wrong in our interpretation. We will readily apologise both to the government and to the public for crying wolf.



“We expect that those qualified, by training and experience, to make such a judgement, will weigh into the matter and we will as usual, publish all sides in the discussion, including that of the government.

“We wish to add that in this story, as in others over the last 26 years, the Daily Trust tried to be guided by public interest.

“It is also important for us to clarify some of the insinuations by the information minister about other stories that Daily Trust had done.

First, the statement that our newspaper had given “a banner headline to a baseless accusation that the Government was working on citing foreign military bases in the country”. Nothing could be further from the truth. We only reported in the Daily Trust of Sunday, 5th May, 2024, details of an open letter by six scholars and activists urging the president and the National Assembly to reject any bid to cite United States of America and French military bases within Nigeria.


“Also, the minister said “Daily Trust concocted and popularised a lie that the Federal Government had renamed the Murtala Muhammed Expressway in Abuja to Wole Soyinka Way”. We did publish two opinion articles in Daily Trust of Wednesday and Saturday, June 12 and 15, 2024, in which the opinion writers raised concerns over alleged renaming of the Murtala Muhammed Way, Abuja, after Wole Soyinka.

“We recall that the information minister’s press statement on that matter, which was issued on the 17th of June, 2024, with the headline “Abuja’s Murtala Muhammed Way NOT Renamed after Soyinka-FG”, was reported generously in our online and offline platforms.


“We wish to reiterate that we are an impartial media outlet. Since 1998, we have operated under six different governments, with the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration being the seventh. Throughout this period, we have consistently demonstrated a high level of impartiality in our reportage.”

Electricity supply has been partly restored in Nigeria hours after the national grid collapse.


Emeka Ezeh, Head of Corporate Communications at Enugu Electricity Distribution Company confirmed this in a statement on Saturday.

DAILY POST reports that there was a nationwide blackout in Nigeria around 3 pm on Saturday.


However, Ezeh, in an update, said bulk supply was partially restored by Transmission Company of Nigeria around 6:54 pm on Saturday.

“This is to inform you of partial supply restoration after the system collapsed earlier today(Saturday), 6th July 2024.

“So far, Awada and GCM TCN stations received supply at 18:54 hours; Nibo TCN station and Agu Awka TCN station received supply at 18.55 hours and 18:56 hours respectively; while Oji River TCN station received supply at 19:22 hours.


“We are still standing by, anticipating full and normal restoration of supply to other interface TCN stations, ” Ezeh stated.

adamusuleiman1:


https://dailytrust.com/fg-threatens-to-terminate-julius-berger-ccecc-calabar-road-contracts/#google_vignette

Coolsperm:
Ok thanks to America, Taofeeq a Yoruba Muslim man was also killed by Hausa Okada Ridders in broad daylight in Lagos but everybody in the SW become deaf and dumb, even local Yoruba Muslims could not utter a word

The Sokoto State House of Assembly has passed the Sokoto Emirate Council Amendment Bill through the first and second readings.

The amendment bill, if passed into law, will strip the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, of powers to appoint the kingmakers and to appoint district heads without government approval, among other things.

This development comes a day after the Muslim Rights Concern raised concerns about an alleged plan by the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, to depose the Sultan of Sokoto.

In a statement on Monday, MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Isiaq Akintola, expressed alarm over the potential move, which comes amid controversy and tension following the deposition of several monarchs in Kano State.


He stressed that the Sultan’s role is not only traditional but also religious, extending beyond Sokoto to cover all Nigerian Muslims as their spiritual head.


Governor Aliyu had previously removed 15 traditional rulers for various offences.

However, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Peoples Democratic Party, on Monday, cautioned against an alleged plot to remove the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, by the Sokoto State government.

The state government, however, denied any plan to dethrone the monarch, describing the allegation as false.

The state Commissioner for Information, Sambo Danchadi, explained that the law guiding the appointment of traditional rulers in the state had not been changed.

Sokoto government has denied allegations by MURIC that it’s plotting to depose His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.


The state Commissioner for information and societal reorientation Hon. Sambo Bello Danchadi in a swift reaction on Tuesday said the state government has no plan whatsoever to dethrone the revered monarch, while describing the allegation by MURIC as false and baseless.


Sambo explained that the law guiding the appointment and disposition of traditional rulers in the state had not been changed or even repelled.

The Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Council MURIC, Prof. Isiaq Akintola, on Monday, raised alarm that, Sokoto state government was plotting to depose His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto against the backdrop of the happenings in Kano.

MURIC in a statement cited the removal of 15 traditional rulers for various offences.

Prof Akintola, in a statement further warned that, Muslims Ummah in Nigeria would reject and resist any hostile actions against the Sultan, who happened to be the spiritual leader of all Muslins in Nigeria.

The Islamic organization however expressed concern over the alleged sour relationship between the state government and the Sultan.

The organisation said the pedestal of the Sultan of Sokoto was not only traditional but also religious, noting that the Sultan doubles as the head of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

The group warned the Sokoto governor not to “force Nigerian Muslims to take a drastically revolutionary measure.”


It said, “Feelers in circulation indicate that the governor may descend on the Sultan of Sokoto any moment from now using any of the flimsy excuses used to dethrone the 15 traditional rulers whom he removed earlier.



It said, “Feelers in circulation indicate that the governor may descend on the Sultan of Sokoto any moment from now using any of the flimsy excuses used to dethrone the 15 traditional rulers whom he removed earlier.

A former Minister of Youth and Sports and one-time Military Administrator of Benue State, Air Vice Marshal Adebayo Lawal (retd.), has died at the age of 83.

The retired military officer passed away in his sleep in the early hours of Sunday, June 23, 2024, at his home.

The news was confirmed by his daughter, Mrs. Yinka Enahoro, and corroborated by the Sergeant At Arms at the National Assembly, Air Commodore Sani Zakari (retd.).

Zakari stated, “AVM Frank Ajobena (retd.) further informed us that AVM Bayo Lawal passed on in his sleep at the early hours of Sunday, Jun 23, 2024.”

Born on September 14, 1941, in Offa, Kwara State, Lawal was a pioneer officer of the Nigerian Air Force, which he joined in 1963.

He received his training as a military pilot in West Germany, graduating in 1964.

Throughout his illustrious career, Lawal held numerous high-ranking positions within the NAF.

These included Commander of NAF Port Harcourt (1969-1970), Commander of Enugu Air Force Base (1970-72), and two stints as Commander of NAF Kano (1972-1973 and 1975-1977). He also served as Air Officer Commanding HQ Tactical Air Command NAF Makurdi from 1977 to 1978.

Described as “a very active and vibrant fighter pilot,” Lawal’s service to the nation extended beyond the military.

He was appointed Military Governor of Benue State in July 1978, a position he held until October 1979.

Later in his career, he served as the Federal Minister of Youth and Sports.

After retiring from active service, Lawal ventured into business and devoted himself to faith-based philanthropy.

He was known to be a devoted Muslim.

The funeral for AVM Lawal is scheduled for Monday, June 24, 2024.

He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.

24th June, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

DON’T TOUCH THE SULTAN: MURIC TELLS SOKOTO GOVERNOR

As the governor of Sokoto deposed 15 traditional rulers, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed concern over the sour relationship between the governor and the Sultan of Sokoto as well as the rumour of impending dethronement of the Sultan. According to the human rights organization, Nigerian Muslims reject any thought of deposition of the Sultan.

MURIC’s position was articulated in a press statement issued on Monday, 24th June, 2024 by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

He said:

“The governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, deposed 15 traditional rulers on 23rd April 2024. That was two months ago. (https://www-vanguardngr-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2024/04/sokoto-gov-dethrones-15-traditional-rulers-over-land-racketeering-other-offences/amp/?).

“However, feelers in circulation indicate that the governor may descend on the Sultan of Sokoto any moment from now using any of the flimsy excuses used to dethrone the 15 traditional rulers whom he removed earlier (https://l.kphx.net/s?d=2796295985948235390&extra=&g=31b4378cb89737a988dcae98fec47bb5).

“MURIC advises the governor to look before he leaps. The Sultan’s stool is not only traditional. It is also religious. In the same vein, his jurisdiction goes beyond Sokoto. It covers the whole of Nigeria. He is the spiritual head of all Nigerian Muslims.

“Therefore, any governor who tampers with the stool of the Sultan will have Nigerian Muslims to reckon with because the Sultan combines the office of the Sultan of Sokoto and that of the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

“Governor Ahmed Aliyu should not force Nigerian Muslims to take a drastically revolutionary measure. Having a traditional ruler as leader has been a condition Nigerian Muslims accepted a long time ago as a necessary weakness in the structure which they have to live with.

“A military governor, Colonel Yakubu Muazu, exposed this soft underbelly when he deposed Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki on 20th April, 1996. Nigerian Muslims will be forced to make a hard decision if Sokoto governors continue to diminish the authority of the Sultan.

“For the avoidance of any doubts, Sultan Muhammad Sa’d Abubakar is not only the Sultan of Sokoto but the Sultan of the Nigerian people. His performance and style of leadership have warmed him into the hearts of Nigerians.

“Nigerian Muslims North and South of the country may be constrained to pick Islamic scholars only as President General of the NSCIA and overall leader of Nigerian Muslims. It will be farewell to the leadership of traditional rulers over the NSCIA and an irreversible departure from Sokoto’s priviledged leadership position. But history will not be kind to Colonel Yakubu Muazu and Ahmed Aliyu for ruining the chances of Sokoto.

“That will make it impossible for any governor to harass or intimidate the leader of Nigerian Muslims. The power and influence of governors over traditional rulers have become absolute and totalitarian in recent time. Nigerian Muslims must be given space to breathe some air of freedom like all other associations.

“Once is happenstance, twice is a coincidence, the third time is enemy action. If the deposition of a Sultan and NSCIA leader happens a second time, Nigerian Muslims will not allow the embarrassment to happen a third time.

“MURIC reiterates its call on the Sokoto State House of Assembly to either repeal or review the state’s chieftaincy laws by adding the phrase ‘except the Sultan of Sokoto’ to Section 6, Cap 26 of the Laws of Northern Nigeria which empowers the state governor to depose the emirs including the Sultan (https://dailytrust.com/muric-seek-immunity-for-sultan-from-deposition/; https://independent.ng/sultan-of-sokoto-should-be-immune-from-deposition-group/).

“We urge Northern elites and Islamic scholars based in the North to intervene before it is too late. This is the time to lobby the Sokoto State House of Assembly and the governor himself. If the chieftaincy laws of Kano State can be repealed within 24 hours, nothing stops that of Sokoto State from being reviewed in favour of immunity for the office of the Sultan in a single day to save Nigerian Muslims from humongous embarrassment.

“It is arbitrary, irrational and condescending for a state governor to possess the power to dethrone the leader of all Muslims in Nigeria when even an ordinary chairman of a local government cannot sack the president of a campus students union. It is unacceptable. Enough is enough.

“In the same manner, it is tactless, reckless, myopic and senselessly audacious for any governor of Sokoto State who has the power to remove the Sultan of Sokoto and head of all Nigerian Muslims to actually use that power. Well, once bitten, twice shy. Nigerian Muslims travelled this road once, under military rule. We will not ply the same road again.”

#SokotoGovernor

#SultanOfNigeria

#NigerianMuslims

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).