News
Support NNPCL’s Reforms and National Security Overhaul – Prof. Kailani
By Abubakar Yunusa
Professor Kailani Muhammed, an electrical engineer and Chairman of the British American Development Foundation, has urged Nigerians to support the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as it undergoes transformative reforms.
Speaking at the 2024 Special Graduation and Celebrations of Academic Excellence, held in collaboration with the International University (UPTEAG) in Abuja, over the weekend, Professor Kailani commended the NNPCL’s General Managing Director, Mele Kyari, for introducing unprecedented transparency and modernization to the organization.
Reflecting on his tenure at the NNPC, where he worked under seven Group Managing Directors, Professor Kailani said, “The NNPC today is not the NNPC of yesterday, where leaders could embezzle funds.
“There is now total automation, and the management has opened its books, including a full audit for 2023—something we haven’t seen in 25 years.”
He further praised the reforms brought about by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which have positioned NNPCL as an independent company capable of competing globally.
However, he warned that Nigerians must fully support these modernization efforts.
“We must ensure that the NNPCL management is backed as they reposition the company to compete favorably with international companies.”
Professor Kailani also lauded President Bola Tinubu for removing Nigeria’s longstanding fuel subsidy, a move previous administrations had been unable to execute.
He explained that the subsidy, intended to benefit the masses, had been exploited by smugglers and corrupt officials, leaving ordinary citizens without the intended relief.
“When you compare the global price of fuel, no country sells petrol at a rate as low as 2,000 naira in Nigeria,” he said.
Professor Kailani noted that fuel sold to independent marketers at 625 naira per liter often ends up smuggled across borders and sold at inflated rates of up to 1,600 naira.
He called on Nigerians to recognize the importance of the subsidy removal as part of broader economic reforms aimed at curbing smuggling and ensuring fair pricing.
Speaking on national security, Professor Kailani called on President Tinubu to overhaul Nigeria’s military and police forces.
While acknowledging their efforts, he emphasized that current measures were insufficient to restore peace in the country. He specifically called for the elimination of notorious bandit leaders like Turji Bello and his commanders within weeks.
Professor Kailani also advocated for the reinstatement of the Mobile Police Unit, which he described as “intelligent, closer to the people, and knowledgeable about the hiding places of criminals.”
He urged the federal government to better equip security forces to protect citizens and maintain law and order.
“We must come together to support the reforms that will help Nigeria compete globally, both in terms of economic and educational progress,” he said.
Two groups, Northern Peoples Congress and Afenifere Youth Stakeholders’ Forum, has declared that the massive presence of constituents at the homecoming rally organised for Kogi West Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has all but ended the recall process initiated against her.
The groups both spoke to journalists shortly after the rally which was held on Tuesday despite efforts by the Kogi State Government to stop it.
The Chairman of the Northern peoples Congress, and the coordinator, Afenifere Youth Stakeholders’ Forum, Yusuf Alero and Kehinde Olatunde, respectively, said those behind the recall process against the Senator should be hiding their faces in shame.
In a joint statement they made available to journalists, they said, “The thousands of people who trooped out, walked long distances on their own, was a clear indication that Senator Natasha is cherished and loved by her people.
“What we saw was organic love, expressed wholeheartedly by the people despite the fruitless efforts of the powers that be.
“Having initiated the kangaroo recall process, their plan was to stop anything that would prove to the world that Senator Natasha’s constituents have no hand in it.
“However, they failed woefully as the people defied intimidation, defied the associated stress and trekked long distances to this place.
“The Kogi State Government and their accomplices should be hiding their faces in shame right now. They have been exposed before the world that they are not on ground in the state despite the mago mago electoral process that brought the current governor into power.”
The Igbo groups cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to live up to its name and avoid making itself a willful tool in the hands of politicians.
“All eyes are under the compromised INEC under Prof Yakubu Mahmood; he has never conducted a credible election in Kogi State.
“However, with what happened on Tuesday, the INEC does not need to be told that the people are ready to put their lives on the line to defend the mandate they gave to Senator Natasha.
“It is no longer business as usual; this particular case is business unusual,” the groups declared.
News
Taraba Council Boss Lambast Tiv-Elders, Says the appointment of Ter Wukari is Laughable and Baseless
By Nahum Sule, Jalingo
The Chairman of Wukari local government area of Taraba State, Mr. Agbu Samaila Dauda on Wednesday lambast Tiv Elders Forum for alleging that he gave approval for the meeting, which gave the appointment of Ter Wukari (Chief of Wukari)
In a press statement sign and issue by the chairman, he said his attention was drawn to the Tiv Elders Forum letter dated 20th March, 2025 on the State affairs among Tiv people of Wukari alleging that he gave approval for their meeting of 30th December 2024 for the appointment of Ter Wukari, which he referred as laughable and baseless.
Dauda who asserts that “Ordinarily, I would not have bothered to respond to the fabrications and falsehoods being spread by a group of irrelevant individuals posing as stakeholders of Tiv people in Wukari Local Government”.
“However, to clarify the truth and expose their mischief, I find it necessary to set the record straight.”
“These so-called Tiv Elders alleged in their letter of 20th March 2025 that I gave approval for their meeting of 30th December, 2024 at Ikyaior, such claim is not only baseless but laughable. I never gave approval for any meeting.
“Furthermore, Tiv Elders on their own appointed one Mr. Nenshi Terer as Ter Wukari, meaning Chief of Wukari, this is also baseless and laughable as it’s not known to the Wukari Traditional Council, nor in Wukari Local Government Area. We have only one supreme throne known as Aku-Uka, Dr. Ishaku Adda Ali, (Matakhitswen). Therefore, the title Ter Wukari is alien and not known to any establishment or law in the Wukari Local Government Area. As such, Mr. Nenshi Terer should stop parading himself as the title is not known to the Wukari Traditional Council and Local Government. In view of the above, may I call on the security agencies to search and apprehend Mr. Nenshi Terer or whoever claimed such title, ” he said.
He further alert the public to be aware that Wukari Local Government Area do not have any Traditional establishment as Tiv Central Leader as claimed by the Tiv Elders Forum, stating it’s a mischievous excitement and deliberate attempt by various Tiv individuals to pinch on the present relative peace in the environs.
The Chairman also stressed that people living in Wukari or it villages, are expected of them to report any problems and issues through the established Traditional Hierarchical structure from Ward, Village Head, and District Head to their Chiefdoms.
A northern group, the Arewa Youth Council for Justice, has expressed concerns over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declaring businesswoman Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu wanted.
The group suggested that the move could be linked to a broader political strategy involving Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by its National President, Isak Mammud, and National Secretary, Timothy Isaiah, the group questioned the EFCC’s actions, suggesting they might pressure Achimugu into making allegations against the politicians.
The statement reads: “The EFCC should act fairly and without political bias. A successful woman who has positively impacted many should not be caught up in political manoeuvring.
“It is concerning how quickly she was declared wanted by the commission.
“Past claims that funds were provided to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar through her have been denied by both the Lagos State Governor and Alhaji Abubakar.
“We urge the EFCC to ensure impartiality and transparency in its actions.
“We call on the EFCC to review the ‘wanted’ status placed on her.”