News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has declared that he will reveal the truth about the company’s operations when the time is right.

Kyari made this assertion on Wednesday while testifying before a Senate ad-hoc committee investigating alleged economic sabotage in the petroleum industry.

Led by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the committee is probing the oil firm’s activities amidst controversy and public scrutiny.

Kyari denied any involvement in the importation of sub-standard products, stating that NNPCL is committed to transparency and honesty.

The CEO expressed frustration over unfair media attacks, which he believes are aimed at tarnishing the company’s reputation and creating the impression of economic sabotage.

“We are not criminals, we are not thieves,” Kyari said. “We will protect our dignity so we can serve this country.”

Kyari also revealed that the oil and gas industry is bleeding, hinting at undisclosed issues which “they” knew that cannot be made public “until the time comes.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kaduna State Security Council under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, after a thorough review of the security situation in Kaduna and Zaria towns and environs, has unanimously agreed to relax the 24-hour curfew earlier imposed on Monday 4th August 2024.

By this review, the curfew will now be in effect from 6pm to 8am daily. This implies that citizens may move freely and carry out their legitimate activities between 8am and 6pm, and will revert to the curfew from 6pm to 8am

The Kaduna State Security Council reiterates its total commitment to the peace and security of the State, and will continue to take all steps deemed necessary for their preservation.

Furthermore, the security forces will continue to vigorously enforce the curfew from 6pm to 8am, and will be decisive in confronting actions which may lead to a breakdown of law and order during periods of movement as well as restriction.

 By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reiterated its commitment to intensifying surveillance and enforcement measures to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country. 

Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made this known during a meeting with a delegation from the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), led by National Coordinator, DIG Babatunde Kokumo (rtd), at the Service’s Headquarters in Abuja. 

Adeniyi described Kokumo’s appointment as “placing a round peg in a round hole” and expressed readiness to strengthen their collaboration to promote public safety and security. 

“I want to believe that you’ve brought a wealth of experience to this assignment, and I have no doubt that you will have a successful tour of duty. Let me also say that Nigeria Customs Service is delighted to collaborate with the centre to create your mandate,” Adeniyi said. 

The CGC states the Service’s modest contributions to ensuring proficient scrutiny of merchandise coming into the country, citing recent seizures of arms and military wares at Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, and other ports. 

Kokumo appreciated the collaboration between NCS and NCCSALW, saying, “Let me thank you for the opportunity accorded us to meet you, and I wish to let you know that we have been monitoring your activities.” 

He commended Adeniyi for his recent achievements in seizing arms and ammunition, which he said would help control the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.

Uzair Adam

The Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Kaduna State Police Command has successfully apprehended a notorious kidnapper.

Spokesperson of the Command, ASP Mansir Hassan, said “The suspect, identified as Abdulrahman ‘M’ of Karshi, Abuja, was arrested in possession of an AK-47 rifle along with twenty-seven (27) rounds of live ammunition in Karshi.”

He said upon interrogation, Abdulrahman confessed to being involved in several kidnappings in Ikara Local Government Area (LGA).

He stated that, “Further investigations are ongoing, and the suspect will be prosecuted upon the completion of preliminary investigations.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Ali Dabigi psc, commended the officers involved for their exemplary work and assured the public of the command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of life and property throughout the state,” he said.

By Anas Abbas President Bola Tinubu has appointed a new board for the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), tasked with enhancing the quality and productivity of higher education. 

The seven-member board, chaired by Alhaji Aminu Masari, includes: 

– Senator Sani Danladi

– Mr. Sunday Adepoju

– Mr. Nurudeen Adeyemi

– Mrs. Esther Onyinyechukwu Ukachukwu

– Mr. Turaki Ibrahim

– Mr. Aboh Eduyok 

According to Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), President Tinubu expects the new board members to be dedicated and committed to driving TETFund’s objectives. 

The TETFund plays a crucial role in supporting tertiary education, and the new board is expected to build on this mandate. 

The new board members are expected to bring their expertise and passion to the table, driving positive change in Nigeria’s higher education landscape.

Senator Ali Ndume, former Senate Chief Whip, has apologised to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for failing to consult the party before publicly criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. 

Ndume, representing Borno South in the National Assembly’s upper chamber, reaffirmed his statements, saying, “Whatever I said or whatever I did was out of patriotism.” 

He explained that he was invited by the party to discuss his actions and accepted the mistake of not consulting the party first.

“I promised the party that all my observations as a senior member of the family should have terminated or ended with the party,” Ndume said. However, he maintained that his criticisms were truthful, even if strong.

“Those issues may be said strong, but they are true… I should have talked to the party as the last bus stop.” 

Ndume’s apology comes after he was invited by the party to discuss his public statements, which were seen as critical of the APC leadership.

Despite apologising for not consulting the party, Ndume remains firm in his convictions and commitments to speaking out for the good of the country.

By Anas Abbas

In a bid to restore normalcy, the Kano State government has ordered all the state’s civil servants to resume work immediately, following a relaxation of curfew hours by 12 hours.

According to a press release by Bintu Nuhu Yakasai, Director of Public Enlightenment in the Office of the Head of Service of the Kano State, the directive follows the state government’s decision to relax curfew hours from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Musa appealed to civil servants to report to their offices at the usual hour of 8:00 a.m. each day.

The Head of Service reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to enhancing the civil service and improving workers’ lives. He urged civil servants to redouble efforts to boost service delivery, striving for excellence in their roles.

He also stressed the need for civil servants to comply with the directive, returning to work immediately to ensure uninterrupted public services.

By Uzair Adam

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced that the police have apprehended individuals responsible for sponsoring rioters who displayed foreign flags and called for a change in government.

The Daily Reality learned that an investigation is underway to determine their motivations.

The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, revealed that some sponsors are based in the diaspora and have been identified and watchlisted.

He said that any attempts by them to enter the country will be met with arrest.

IGP Egbetokun also stated that funders of violence and subversion, both within and outside Nigeria, have been tracked, and their accounts have been blocked.

The security agencies assured that they have been managing the crisis carefully, using only tear gas and not live ammunition or rubber bullets.

He added that the reported shooting of a protester in Abuja is being investigated and may have been the work of armed robbers or hoodlums.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, emphasized the commitment of security agencies to their task and the respect they have for the country.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, assured that the Nigerian Army will protect Nigeria’s democracy, peace, and harmony.

The DSS spokesman, Dr. Peter Afunanya, confirmed that some sponsors of the foreign flags have been arrested and urged patience as their identities will soon be disclosed.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Government has announced a relaxation of the curfew, which will now be in effect from 6 AM to 6 PM.

This decision was revealed by Kano Police Commissioner Dogo Salman following a joint security meeting with Governor Abba Yusuf at the Government House.

Commissioner Salman highlighted the government’s ongoing commitment to maintaining peace and order while gradually lifting restrictions to allow residents to resume normal activities.

The adjustment in curfew hours reflects the improved security situation and the efforts of security agencies in restoring normalcy to the state.

Governor Yusuf urged citizens to cooperate with law enforcement and adhere to the revised curfew regulations to ensure continued safety and stability in Kano.

By Uzair Adam

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized the manner in which President Bola Tinubu’s administration removed the fuel subsidy in 2023.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Obasanjo argued that the government should have implemented certain measures before taking such a drastic step.

Obasanjo emphasized that the sudden removal of the subsidy led to a significant rise in petrol prices, from about N200 to over N600 per litre.

He noted that the subsidy, which was declared “gone” by Tinubu during his inaugural address on May 29, 2023, has now effectively been reintroduced due to inflation.

“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done. Not just wake up one morning and say you removed the subsidy. Because of inflation, the subsidy that we have removed is not gone. It has come back,” Obasanjo stated.

He further highlighted the need for investor confidence in Nigeria, stating, “You have to go from a transactional economy to a transformational economy.”

The Daily Reality reports that among the demands of the ongoing nationwide protest is the reinstatement of the fuel subsidy.

However, in a recent broadcast, President Tinubu dismissed the possibility of bringing back the subsidy.

He described the decision to remove it as painful but essential, stating that it had been a “noose around the economic jugular of our nation” and had stifled economic growth and progress.