News
Rivers: Police Confirm 12 Killed During Explosion At Illegal Crude Bunkering Site
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the death of 12 people in the explosion that occured at an illegal crude bunkering site at Rumuekpe Community in Emohua local government area of the state.LEADERSHIP gathered that the incident occurred at about 2:00am at a tapping point on the Trans Niger Delta Pipeline (TNP) which passed through the community.A spark came from a bus loaded with crude oil for transportation to the refining point, a development that resulted into fire and explosion.The Police, in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday by its spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the identify of the 12 victims were not yet known.Iringe-Koko stated about five vehicles, four tricylces and one motorcycle were all burned to ashes.The statement reads in part: “The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed an explosion of oil pipeline at the Rumurkpe community in the Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State.”Preliminary investigation by the Police Command indicates that the victims were scooping crude product when the site caught fire. So far, about 12 persons are believed to have been burnt to death. The identities of the victims are still unknown.*Five vehicles, four Keke NAPEPs, and one motorcycle were all burned to ashes.”Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police has again admonished members of the public to stay away from illegal oil bunkering, and avail themselves of the following hotlines to report any incident or development they believe has the potential to lead to crime or break down of law and order: 08032003514, 08098880134.”
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The chairman of Sokoto State chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Aliyu Abdullahi Jangle has advised the National President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Alhaji Ali Haruna Kankara to make inquiries into any development before making claims that could be false.
Comrade Jangle who stated this while faulting clams by Ali Kankara that Sokoto is amongst the States that are yet to commence payment of the 70, 000 naira new minimum wage, added that, the State began payment of the new minimum wage to all categories of workers since January, 2025.
Addressing newsmen in Sokoto, both the the NLC and NULGE chairmen, Comrades Abdullahi Jangle and Ibrahim Abubakar Gero said Sokoto is the first to pay the new national minimum wage in Nigeria.
“”We want to make it categorically clear that, Sokoto State is the first in the Federation to fully implement the 70,000 new national minimum wage to State, Local Government and LGEA staff.
“”Therefore, what the NULGE National President, Ali Kankara said was not true. The payment of 70,000 new national minimum wage commenced in Sokoto since January this year with all workers benefiting””.
While noting that, it is disheartening to see the NULGE National President, Ali Kankara making comments on issues he has no knowledge of, Comrade Jangle said Sokoto paid new minimum wage to all category of workers including those at he local government and LGEA staff as well.
The federal government has announced that the naira-for-crude oil deal will persist following the conclusion of its initial phase on March 31.
This confirmation came from the Ministry of Finance on Monday, during a meeting attended by key figures, including Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance, and Zacch Adedeji, the Chairman of the committee and Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
The meeting also included representatives from Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Dapo Segun, the Chief Financial Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, NNPC Trading management, and senior officials from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Additional stakeholders present were senior members from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), representatives from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), and Hauwa Ibrahim, the committee’s secretary.
The Ministry stated, “The stakeholders reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to the comprehensive execution of this strategic initiative, as mandated by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).”
The Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira initiative is characterized as a fundamental policy directive rather than a temporary measure. Its objectives include fostering sustainable local refining, enhancing energy security, and minimizing dependence on foreign exchange in the domestic petroleum market.
The committee acknowledged potential implementation challenges inherent in any significant policy change, emphasizing that these issues are being proactively managed through collaborative efforts among all involved parties.
“The initiative will remain active and continue as long as it serves the public interest and aligns with national economic goals,” the ministry added.
Initiated on October 1, 2024, the sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in naira aims to bolster supply, save the nation millions in petroleum product imports, and ultimately lower fuel prices.
On March 10, TheCable reported that NNPC had suspended the naira-for-crude deal until 2030, citing that the government-owned entity had forward-sold all its crude oil.
Subsequently, nine days later, Dangote Refinery announced a temporary halt in the sale of petroleum products in naira. The refinery stated that this decision was “essential to prevent a discrepancy between our sales revenue and our crude oil purchasing commitments, which are currently in U.S. dollars.”
National
Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire Congratulates Otunba Olufemi Pedro on LASU Honorary Doctorate
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has congratulated former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Otunba Olufemi Pedro, on the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate Degree by the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.
The honorary degree is being awarded as part of the institution’s 28th Convocation Ceremony, scheduled to hold on Thursday, 10th April 2025, at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Main Campus, Lagos.
In a statement released on Wednesday by her Special Assistant on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications, Desmond Utomwen, Princess Orelope-Adefulire described the honour as “well-deserved and long overdue,” noting that Otunba Pedro’s life and career reflect a legacy of excellence, innovation, and integrity in both the public and private sectors.
“Otunba Pedro’s remarkable journey—spanning the financial sector and public service—is a shining example of visionary leadership and selfless dedication to national development,” the statement read.
“As former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, he played a pivotal role in laying the foundations for the fiscal reforms that have contributed immensely to the state’s economic growth and transformation.”
Princess Orelope-Adefulire further stated that the conferment by LASU is not just a recognition of Pedro’s achievements, but an affirmation of the enduring values he represents: humility, integrity, and service to humanity.
She commended the Lagos State University for recognising one of its most distinguished alumni, adding that the honour would serve as motivation for emerging leaders and professionals across Nigeria and beyond.
“This award is a timely reminder that true greatness is measured not only by accomplishments, but by the positive impact one has on people, institutions, and society at large,” she added.
She prayed for God’s continued guidance, strength, and good health for Otunba Pedro as he continues to contribute meaningfully to the development of Lagos State, Nigeria, and the global community.