By Aduragbemi Omiyale

As part of efforts to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment, a daily environmental sanitation monitoring and enforcement system has been introduced by the Oyo State government.

At a press briefing to mark his first 100 days in office, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Ademola Aderinto, explained that the government has shifted from the traditional monthly environmental sanitation exercise to a more proactive system that encourages residents to take responsibility for maintaining cleanliness on a daily basis.

He noted that this approach is being reinforced by continuous monitoring and enforcement by environmental health officers

“We are now enforcing daily environmental sanitation. Our officers are on the field every day to ensure compliance, and cleanliness must become a daily responsibility,” he stated.

According to him, to strengthen operations, the government has re-engaged 930 Environmental Vanguards, sweepers, and waste packers, while also procuring two brand new compactor trucks with the support of Governor Seyi Makinde to enhance waste evacuation.

Highlighting the ministry’s achievements, the Commissioner said the ministry has expanded its impact through strategic workforce deployment and innovation, adding that the 930 Environmental Personnel has been structured to improve enforcement and sanitation coverage.

Mr Aderinto hinted that with sweepers now operating twice daily to ensure cleaner roads across the state, while also benefiting from enrolment in the Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme.

The ministry also launched the Oyo Soro Soke (Oyo SSS) Environmental Whistleblower platform accessible via mobile applications and WhatsApp, empowering residents to report environmental violations and promote community participation in environmental governance.

In addition, the ministry strengthened operational capacity by introducing a first-of-its-kind waste segregation system across government offices, and initiated Public-Private Partnerships for the construction of modern public toilets.

The Commissioner expressed gratitude to the Governor for the opportunity to serve, assuring that the confidence reposed in him will not be misplaced, also appreciating members of the Executive Council for their strong inter-ministerial collaboration, as well as the Permanent Secretary, Dr Sunday Ojelabi, for his support.

Highlighting other achievements, he noted improved media engagement by the Ministry, with regular press briefings and public advisories on issues such as flooding, heat waves, cholera, and Lassa fever.

The Commissioner added that the Ministry has regulated charcoal production through a structured framework, commemorated World Earth Day with tree planting, intensified efforts to end open defecation, and strengthened interventions against diseases through inspections and environmental monitoring.

Reaffirming his commitment, Mr Aderinto assured residents that the Ministry will sustain and build on these gains, saying, “The future of our environment in Oyo State is bright. What we have achieved in 100 days is only the beginning.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has urged the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to prioritise policies that promote domestic gas utilisation.

The association recommended that NUPRC strengthen measures to ensure price stability and long-term energy security for Nigerians, as indicated in a statement by its national public relations officer, Mr Joseph Obele.

The call comes alongside PETROAN’s commendation of the choice of Mr Magnus Abe as NUPRC Board chairman.

PETROAN national president, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, cited Mr Abe’s prior roles as a National Assembly lawmaker, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, and former board member of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, meaning he has extensive knowledge of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and its operational dynamics.

PETROAN also lauded NUPRC’s collaboration with the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), which has committed 100 per cent of its LPG production to the domestic market.

Mr Gillis-Harry projected that this would reduce cooking gas prices and other gas-based products soon.

The association highlighted NUPRC’s efforts to remove regulatory bottlenecks, improve ease of doing business, and sustain stakeholder engagement to meet rising domestic gas demand and shield the market from global volatility.

PETROAN emphasises that a stable upstream sector will have far-reaching benefits across the petroleum value chain, including enhanced product availability, reduced energy costs, job creation, and overall economic growth, stating it would support policies and reforms in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

Other PETROAN recommendations included sustaining regulatory reforms, accelerating gas infrastructure and distribution networks to ensure efficient delivery of gas to end-users nationwide; continuous and structured stakeholder engagement to promote transparency, policy consistency, and industry-wide collaboration; and maintaining structured stakeholder engagement.

It also urged collaborating with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to activate government-owned refineries, expressing confidence in Abe’s leadership and reiterated its support for policies fostering a competitive and transparent petroleum industry.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Mr Tunde Ayeni, has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application.

He was moved to the facility after he was brought before Justice Jude Onwuzuruike of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo, Abuja, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, May 4, 2026.

He will remain at the correctional centre until the hearing of his bail plea on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, the judge declared.

The former banker is facing trial on a 17-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and conversion of investors’ funds worth N15.67 billion.

Prosecution counsel, Mr E.E. Iheanacho (SAN), informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment and prosecution was ready for trial.

“We have before the court a 17-count charge dated April 28, 2026. We humbly apply that the charge be read to the defendant,” he said.

“That you, Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc between October 21, 2014, and November 19, 2014, at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this court and having dominion over depositors funds domiciled in the defunct Skye bank Plc’s Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the aggregate sum of N3.2 billion by transferring same to Misa Limited’s account No: 1011295717 and 1011295718 domiciled with Zenith Bank in violation of the Prudential Guidelines and other regulations and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 312 of the same Act,” count three of the charge read.

The count five said, “That you Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the Defunct Skye Bank Plc on or about November 27, 2014, at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this court and having dominion over depositors’ funds domiciled in the defunct Skye bank Plc’s Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the sum of N5.1 billion by transferring same to Union Registrar Limited’s Account No: 0003490559 domiciled with Union Bank in violation of the Prudential Guidelines and other Regulations and thereby Committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and Punishable under Section 312 of same Act.”

After the charges were read to him, Mr Ayeni pleaded “not guilty,” prompting Mr Iheanacho to pray the court for a trial date and asking for the remand of the defendant in a correctional centre.

The defence counsel, Mr Ahmed Raji Bashir (SAN), informed the court that the charge was given to the defendant on a public holiday, adding that he considered it imperative to inform the court. He also prayed the court to release the defendant to him or return him to the custody of the EFCC.