General
Anyanwu Unfolds Economic Agenda for Imo
By Ebireri Henry Ovie
Pulling Imo people out of the clutches of poverty and propelling the economy of the state to prosperity were given at the weekend by Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu as reasons for joining the governorship race.
“If our natural and human resources have been properly harnessed and judiciously managed, Imo would have been one of the richest states, if not the richest in Nigeria.
“My goal is to serve as a bridge between the leadership and the people to ensure that the state is pulled out from the clutches of poverty, while ensuring timely payment of pensions and full restoration of civil servants’ salaries and emoluments,” he said.
The former member of Imo State House of Assembly, who wants to contest the governorship polls on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is thinking about how to put right the mess Governor Rochas Okorocha and other All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders have made of Imo State.
He promised to assuage the suffering of Imo people through wealth creation, employment generation and poverty reduction.
Mr Anyanwu told reporters in Owerri that the state has enormous human and material resources that could serve as alternative source of revenue to the Federal Government if properly harnessed and managed.
He attributed the economic hardship in the state to lack of commitment and sincerity of purpose on the part of the current administration.
“A responsible and positive government should drive policies and programmes that would promote real development.”
The former local government chairman promised to liberate the state from the dependency on federal allocation, grow the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state by activating robust private sector business engagement and restore local government system and town unions.
“We will energize private enterprise and allow people unfettered ownership of the means to wealth creation and production. We shall pursue a course that will exceed the expectations and aspirations of our people. We will ensure economic growth as against financial impoverishment and hope in place of despondency and despair. Our administration will submit to international best practices in governance, which includes transparency, accountability, due process and rule of law.”
Mr Anyanwu promised to bring principles that promote respect for rule of law, justice, fairness and integration of all stakeholders.
“I know the terrain, understand the politics and have built networks of political and social alliances across the state; I know the people, the issues, challenges, expectations, the possibilities and the potentials of the state. I will run a government that focuses on developing the economy of the state and making it the hub of South East market by identifying and developing viable areas of comparative advantage. I will create an enabling environment that will attract investors and encourage private sector participation in developing the state economy.”
He vowed to ensure security of life and property thereby making Imo the tourist destination of the world, guarantee a qualitative and holistic free education, with a clear path on sustainability of funding, reposition agriculture as vehicle for job creation, wealth generation and food security, decentralize the health sector in preparation for a universal health care system and embark on a comprehensive infrastructural development.
He also pledged to end deprivation, humiliation and hardship in the state.
The chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privilege and Public Petitions urged PDP leaders in the country to mend fences and respect the feelings and views of others.
“Our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has had it fair share of political crisis. We must begin to mend fences and respect the feelings and views of others. Though individuals are bound to have their personal ambitions within a political party, such interests must be pursued without sending wrong signals that would unsettle the greater number of the members or make them feel that the party has lost its character as the big umbrella that should provide shade for all members. Impunity and high handedness in political engagement weakens the party, making it vulnerable to external and internal manipulators and deprives us of the qualities of a formidable political party.”
The representative of Imo East Senatorial District called on PDP members in the state to make judicious use of their electoral power when the time comes.
“The movement to Douglas House starts today. Never again would we gamble with the fate of our dear state and the destiny of our people. We must caution ourselves as we prepare to elect our flag bearers in the forthcoming party elections. The fate and destiny of our party depend on our resolve to elect people that are acceptable to the masses and can lead us to victory in the general election.”
Popularly known as Sam Daddy, the Imo East representative appealed to the people of Orlu and Okigwe zones to support the aspiration of Owerri zone.
“This will help us build a bound of love, friendship and strength needed to overcome the challenges ahead,” he added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Local crude oil refiner, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, has kicked against attempts to put consumers of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, under untold hardship in the country.
The company, which commenced nationwide sales of the product at a pump price of N739 per litre across all MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations, appealed to Nigerians to report any of its marketers who sell above this price.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable.
“We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the Lagos-based refinery said in a statement.
It noted that the significant price reduction was part of its mission to deliver affordable fuel to consumers and stabilize the downstream petroleum market.
With over 2,000 MRS stations nationwide, the new pricing is expected to be implemented across all outlets, ensuring that the benefits of this reduction reach consumers nationwide.
Dangote Refinery applauded marketers who have embraced the new pricing regime and urged others to follow suit in the interest of national economic recovery.
“We commend MRS and other marketers who have demonstrated patriotism by reflecting the reduced price at the pump. We call on others to join this effort as a show of support for Nigeria’s economic recovery,” the refinery stated.
Historically, the festive season has been associated with fuel scarcity and sharp price hikes. However, Dangote Refinery has delivered a decisive market intervention—crashing pump prices at a time when Nigerians typically brace for hardship. Backed by a guaranteed daily supply of 50 million litres, this initiative fundamentally alters the supply dynamics during the holiday period.
By refining locally at scale, the refinery is reducing Nigeria’s exposure to volatile global markets, conserving foreign exchange, stabilizing the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This sustained price cut and steady supply are providing relief to households, businesses, and transport operators nationwide.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid buying PMS at excessively high prices when they can access locally refined fuel at N739 per litre from over 2,000 MRS stations nationwide. Report any MRS station selling above N739 per litre by calling 0800 123 5264,” the refinery said.
“We also call on other petrol station operators to patronize our products so that the benefits of this price reduction can be passed on to Nigerians across all outlets, ensuring broad-based relief and a more stable downstream market,” it added, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, price moderation, and energy security, emphasizing that its operations are anchored on long-term national interest rather than short-term market pressures.
“Our objective remains clear: to ensure consistent supply of high-quality petroleum products at affordable prices for Nigerians, while supporting economic stability and reducing dependence on imports,” the refinery concluded.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government’s approval of N185 billion as the settlement for long standing debts owed to gas producers in the country has been described as a major boost for Nigeria’s gas industry and power generation value chain.
The decision, endorsed by the National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, followed the authorisation by President Bola Tinubu and represents one of the most significant fiscal interventions in the energy sector in recent years.
The legacy debts, accumulated over years for gas supplied to power plants, have constrained cash flow for producers, discouraged new investments and reduced gas supply to electricity generation, worsening Nigeria’s chronic power shortages.
Under the approved framework, the debts will be settled through a royalty-offset arrangement, a mechanism expected to ease government liabilities while restoring confidence among domestic and international gas suppliers.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the approval as a turning point for the sector.
“This is a decisive step towards revitalising Nigeria’s gas sector and strengthening its power-generation capacity in a sustainable manner,” Mr Ekpo said, adding that the move aligns with President Tinubu’s commitment to resolving structural bottlenecks in the energy industry.
He noted that clearing the arrears would help rebuild trust between government and gas producers, many of whom had slowed investments due to persistent payment uncertainties.
“Settling these debts is critical to restoring investor confidence, reviving upstream activities and accelerating exploration and production,” Mr Ekpo stated.
According to him, increased gas output would directly translate into improved power generation, helping to address electricity shortages that have long constrained industrial productivity and economic growth.
The gas minister further explained that the intervention supports the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative, which targets unlocking more than 12 billion cubic feet per day of gas supply by 2030.
On his part, the Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, Mr Ed Ubong, said the decision sends a strong signal to investors across the gas-to-power value chain.
“This approval underlines the Federal Government’s determination to clear legacy liabilities and assure gas producers that supplies to power generation will be honoured,” Mr Ubong said.
He added that the move could unlock stalled projects, revive investor interest and rebuild momentum toward Nigeria’s transition to a gas-driven economy.
The settlement could mark a critical step in stabilising gas supply to power plants, improving electricity reliability and positioning gas as a catalyst for industrialisation and long-term economic growth.
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