News
Pipeline contracts: CSOs, warns against blackmailing Tinubu, Kyari

The Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG) have urged Nigerians to dismiss threats and campaigns of calumny against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over the award of pipeline security to a supposed ‘Northern Cabal’.
They made the call on Sunday in Abuja at a media briefing by President CSG, Comrade Dominick Ogakwu.
Ogakwu warned blackmailers to stop the meaningless agitations and threats against the NNPCL and its Group CEO, Mallam Mele Kyari.
He noted that sustained unwarranted smear campaign against the achievements and the continued progress of NNPC Limited in some section of the media is uncalled for and a disservice to the nation.
“Peddling gross misinformation and unsubstantiated allegations on oil pipeline rehabilitation as well as surveillance contracts has now been adopted as a weapon of choice in the hands of these unpatriotic elements,” he said.
Comrade Ogakwu added, “We urge those who are bent on undermining the transformative leadership of President Bola Tinubu to rethink and stop these baseless agitations and threats.
“Instead, they can contribute positively to support the progress and growth of NNPC Limited under the patriotic leadership of Mele Kyari. We have only one country to build.
“Peddling gross misinformation and unsubstantiated allegations on oil pipeline rehabilitation and surveillance contracts has now become a weapon of choice for these unpatriotic elements,” Ogakwu said.
He said the allegations to discredit Mele Kyari were a ploy to distract the President Bola Tinubu administration, which is not what the country needs at the moment.
He said, “The claim of ‘quietly awarding the control of Nigeria’s pipelines to a Northern oil cabal’ is not only fallacious but also cowardly.”
Ogakwu said that the level of work that goes into contracting any firm to secure the oil pipeline was enormous and required multi-agency participation for transparency purposes.
He said that the task of pipeline security was not an easy one and therefore required specific capabilities to qualify.
“This initiative has led to many seizures of tankers laden with illegal crude and the discovery of a four-kilometre illegal oil connection line from Forcados Terminal into the sea, which had been in operation for nine years.
“Nigerians have seen NNPC make a profit for the first time in 44 years, growing from N287 billion in 2020 to N674.1 billion in the 2021 financial period.
“The figure represented an increase of N387 billion, or 134.8 per cent when compared to the previous profit recorded in 2020.
“Regarding refineries, the timeline of December remains for the Port Harcourt refinery to be back on stream and ameliorate the present difficulty caused by a spike in forex,” Ogakwu said.
News
Shocking Video: Bandits Conduct Eid Prayers In Kaduna Forest

In a startling turn of events, a video has surfaced online showing a group of armed bandits conducting Eid prayers deep within the forests of Kaduna State, Nigeria.
The footage, which has sparked widespread alarm, was shared by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama on his account on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
According to reports, the armed groups gathered in at least two distinct locations Maidaro, Sabon Birni, and East Kaduna, within the Dogon Dawa Forest.
The bandits armed with a variety of sophisticated weapons. In addition to carrying automatic rifles, the bandits were seen equipped with drones and mobile phones, suggesting an alarming level of coordination and access to technology.
Security analysts, including Makama, have expressed deep concern over the implications of this gathering. Tagging both the Nigerian Army and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in his post, Makama emphasised the urgent need for strategic countermeasures against these criminal elements.
National
APC Youth Group Counters Jaji’s Claims Against Matawalle

The National Youth Vanguard of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations made by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, who accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of orchestrating claims of anti-party activities against him.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Adeniyi Wale, described Jaji’s accusations as “baseless” and an attempt to distract from his own political manoeuvres.
“Jaji has long positioned himself as a loyal APC member and a unifying force within the party, but his actions suggest otherwise. His political moves appear more self-serving than focused on party unity,” Wale said.
The APC Vanguard emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparent and accountable leaders rather than those who, it said, manipulate public trust for personal gain. The group also questioned Jaji’s credibility, citing what it described as a pattern of inconsistency in his political engagements.
“The remarks made by Jaji not only lack substantiation but also raise concerns about his reliability and judgment,” the statement read. “Leadership is not merely about holding a position of power; it is about demonstrating qualities that inspire trust and confidence among the people.”
The group commended Minister Matawalle for his efforts in strengthening national security and promoting peace. It said his leadership had contributed significantly to fostering unity and improving community relations across the country.
“Minister Matawalle exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership. Under his stewardship, significant progress has been made in enhancing national security and community relations,” the statement said.
The APC Vanguard further criticised Jaji’s leadership approach, accusing him of lacking the foresight and responsibility required for credible governance.
“This pattern of inconsistency not only weakens the integrity of his decisions but also erodes the confidence of party members and stakeholders who seek dependable representation,” Wale added.
The group reaffirmed its support for Matawalle and urged APC members to remain focused on unity and national progress while rejecting divisive rhetoric that could undermine the party’s strength.
News
Two brothers Launch Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, Sponsor WAEC Registration For 50 vulnerable Students

By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
In a significant effort to promote education, two brothers have launched the Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, sponsoring the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration for 50 vulnerable students in Kamaru Ikulu Ward, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Yusuf Ismail Ashafa, popularly known as Sardaunan Ikulu, urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their studies and strive for academic excellence. He assured them that the foundation would continue to support outstanding students by facilitating their admission into higher institutions.
Ashafa also called on parents to play an active role in motivating their children to focus on education, emphasizing that their success would contribute to a brighter future for the community.
Meanwhile, Ashafa, who played a crucial role in the emergence of Engr. Bege Gaiya Joseph as the Executive Chairman of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, expressed deep appreciation for Joseph and his brother, Reuben Richman Bissla, for sponsoring the students’ WAEC registration in his honor.
He pledged to build on these efforts, ensuring continued support for students’ education as a means of fostering societal development.
In his remarks, the co-sponsor, Engr. Joseph Bege Gaiya, popularly known as Lordbeckson, disclosed that the initiative was aimed at improving the education of the most vulnerable students for the betterment of society.
“I am one of the beneficiaries of the goodwill of Sardaunan Ikulu. If he had wanted to become the Council Chairman, he would have been, but he decided to push me forward, and today I am the Council Chairman through his mentorship,” he stated.
He urged the beneficiaries to consider themselves fortunate and to take full advantage of the opportunity by studying hard to achieve excellent results.
“With the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, we must ensure that our students pursue science courses. We cannot afford to have a Federal University in our region and yet have our children unable to gain admission to study science-related fields,” he added.
The initiative has been widely commended as a timely intervention, helping underprivileged students overcome financial barriers to education.