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Appointments: Tinubu fair to all regions -Arthur EzeBy
A billionaire businessman and philanthropist from the South East, Prince Arthur Eze, has commended President Bola Tinubu for being fair in his recent appointments of ministers and heads of agencies to all segments of the country.
He said this in Abuja at the Holy Mass to mark the 65th birthday of Rev Fr Patrick Alumuku at St. Louis Catholic Church, EFAB Global Estate, Mbora, Abuja.Prince Eze said that President Tinubu’s recent appointments have shown that he is the ideal president for Nigeria.
Accoding to him, the president has been fair in his appointments to the three major regions: the East, West, and North and, therefore, urged Nigerians to support the president as he continues his transformational agenda.
Commenting on the celebrant, Prince Eze, who described Father Alumuku as a good man, recalled that he met him through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume and that he is a man worthy of emulation.
On his part, the celebrant, Father Alumuku, while speaking with journalists, said the occasion was for him to thank God for his love and kindness, which he has shown in many ways in his 65th year.
“I realise that every day we live in God’s presence, and we need to thank him, especially at a moment like this. We give thanks to God. I want to use this opportunity to say to everyone that every birthday is a major event in our lives and to thank God.
“Indeed, every day is important to thank, so we cannot live without God’s presence before us. We need to be consciously and continuously aware of God’s presence and be grateful to him for what he has done in our lives,” he said.
Also, the Vice Chairman, Parish Pastoral Council of the Church, Sir Vincent Ukaoma, in his address, described Father Alumuku as a man of many paths.
“We, the nuclear family of Father Patrick, would like him to live and enjoy this fast-approaching stage of his life gracefully. After labouring so much in God’s vineyard for more than forty years as a priest in Makurdi, in Vatican City, and now in Abuja, it will be fitting to slow down.
“We, the parishioners of St. Louis Pastoral Centre, consider ourselves so blessed to have Father Patrick as our first parish priest. Within a period of three years, through his subtle pushing, our community has been positively transformed progressively, spiritually, and structurally,” Ukaoma said.
Also, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, expressed excitement on the ceremony to celebrate Alumuku on his birthday.Akume, represented by Mr Simon Tyungu, the director, in his office described Alumuku as a hardworking priest and someone who make positive impacts on people and the society.
By Abubakar Yunusa
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has slashed its ex-depot price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N825.
Esan Sunday, head of media relations and branding communications at Dangote Group, announced the reduction in a statement on Wednesday.
The development comes more than three weeks after the refinery reduced petrol price from N950 per litre to N890.
The new price means that the refinery has significantly cut the ex-depot price by N125 from N950 per litre in January.
“This recent price reduction will also ensure that Nigerians pay between N860 and N865 per litre for petrol at the pump in Lagos,” the statement reads.
“This strategic price adjustment is designed to provide essential relief to Nigerians in celebration of the Ramadan season, while also supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic recovery policy by alleviating the financial burden on the Nigerian populace.
“It is important to note that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has consistently lowered the prices of petrol and other refined petroleum products to the benefit of Nigerians.
“This marks the second reduction of PMS prices in February 2025, following a previous decrease of N60 earlier in the month.
“Additionally, in December 2024, during the yuletide period, the refinery reduced the price of PMS by N70.50, from N970 to N899.50 per litre, as part of its commitment to easing the cost of living and providing relief to Nigerians during the holiday season.”
The oil firm refinery also said previous reductions have positively impacted the overall cost of living, benefiting various sectors of the economy.
Dangote refinery added that its high-quality products, which have become a favourite in both domestic and international markets, will remain available nationwide, particularly through its key partners — MRS Holdings, AP (Ardova Petroleum), and Heyden — at market-friendly rates.
The organisation assured the public of a consistent supply of petroleum products, with sufficient reserves to meet domestic demand and a surplus for export, thereby boosting the country’s foreign exchange (FX) earnings.
The refinery also called on marketers to support the initiative, ensuring that Nigerians remain the primary beneficiaries of its effort
Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the ruling party had a debt of N8.9 billion when he assumed office.
Ganduje took over from Abdullahi Adamu, who was the national chairman of the APC until his resignation in July 2023.
Speaking during the APC’s NEC meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the former Kano governor said the expenses were incurred during pre-election legal battles, election cases, and appeals for legislative, governorship, and presidential elections.
“The current NWC inherited debts and legal liabilities to the total tune of N8,987,874,663, arising from various legal engagements,” Ganduje said.
However, the APC chairman said Kareem Kana, the national legal adviser, has been working to reduce the debt burden.
“We still passionately appeal to the national executive committee to intervene accordingly,” he said.
Earlier today, the chairman said the party is making efforts to mend internal divisions and bring aggrieved members back into the fold.
Ganduje explained that the APC had initiated high-level discussions among party leaders and stakeholders to address lingering disagreements and strengthen party unity.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square, on charges of laundering ₦1.38billion, $ 1 million and £34,537.59.
Jude was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a seven-count charge
One of the counts read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another count read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did indirectly using bureau de change convert the sum of $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and six-two dollars eighty-seven cents), domiciled in Access Bank Plc operated by Northside Music Lid to the naira equivalent and remitted into various bank accounts with the intention of concealing that the said fund form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Larry Peters Aso, applied for a date for hearing as well as for the remand of the defendant in the correctional facility pending trial.
The defendant’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, informed the court of a pending bail application. He asked for a short date for the hearing. Effiong also asked that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC’s custody pending the hearing of the application.
Aso objected to the request for the defendant to be remanded in the EFCC custody. He argued that the EFCC custody was already congested with suspects awaiting arraignment. He urged the court to remand the defendant to the correctional facility since he had taken his plea.
Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter till February 28 for bail hearing and April 14 for trial.
He also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi correctional facility.