General
CNPP Accuses FG of Deceit in Subsidy Implementation
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Leaders of the Nigerian labour unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have been accused of “representing their personal interests and not that of their members.”
This accusation was made by the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by its Secretary General, Mr Willy Ezugwu.
The group said it was prepared to lead the anti-subsidy struggle when Nigerians are ready to take their future into their hands.
It also accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the federal government of being deceitful in implementing the subsidy regime, saying that “what the federal government wants to do is fuel price increment, not subsidy removal.”
The CNPP noted that “it is disheartening that the Nigerian labour unions have joined the All Progressives Congress led federal government in its deceitful and manipulative tendencies since the APC government came to power.
“Before they won the election in 2015, the APC made Nigerians to believe that fuel subsidy does not exist, tagging it a scam. But immediately after they won the election, the APC led federal government swiftly increased the pump price of petrol.
“The former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Ibe Kachikwu in December 2015 revealed that the federal government has concluded plans to remove the subsidy on fuel by 2016.
“By May 2016, the Federal Government announced that it had removed fuel subsidy and petrol was to sell for N145 per litre. In fact, NNPC made Nigerians believe that marketers were free to bring in fuel cargoes and sell, subject to meeting standard quality control.
“But in the deceitful character of the federal government, the NNPC then insisted on a benchmark of N145 per litre as a recommended pump price. Do you remove subsidies and dictate or suggest prices at the same time if you are sincere?
“The CNPP at the time queried the rationale behind removing the subsidy and at the same time interfering in pump price by fixing a benchmark of N145 per litre of petrol.
“While highlighting the contents of a briefing after a meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in 2016, Kachikwu said: “We have just finished a meeting with various stakeholders presided over by His Excellency, the Vice President. The meeting had in attendance the leadership of the Senate, House of Representatives, Governors Forum, and Labour Unions (NLC, TUC, NUPENG, and PENGASSAN)”, the then minister told Nigerians.
“But at a point, the federal government made a U-turn on the fuel subsidy removal when, contrary to viral media reports in 2016 that the federal government has ended fuel subsidy, Vice President Yemi Osinabjo said it was not true, explaining that what the government did was to withdraw the monopoly enjoyed by the NNPC to allow free market sales.
“The free market sales and importation of petrol by the independent marketers never happened because the federal government simply deceived Nigerians that subsidy was removed. Nigerians endured but till date, there has not been any meaningful improvement in the lives of the poor.
“This cycle of deceit has continued till date as the federal government has hinted on yet another fuel price increment which it has again tagged fuel subsidy removal. How many times will the government remove fuel subsidies?
“The same labour unions leaders who were part of the earlier negotiations are the same ones negotiating with the federal government today in another cycle of personal enrichment while Nigerians are to pay N340 per litre of petrol and at a time cooking gas is already out of the reach of the ordinary citizens.
“It is laughable that the only palliative from the federal government is N5, 000.00 naira to a few Nigerians, which government officials will eventually siphon into private pockets like the COVID-19 conditional cash transfer.
“With the level of infrastructure decay in the country, where all federal roads are not motorable, the federal government is talking about cash transfer because it is the new safe way to siphon our commonwealth.
“The CNPP is ready to lead Nigerians anytime they want to end this series of subsidy removal deceit by the federal government in connivance with labour leaders in the country”, the CNPP concluded.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, has disclosed that the state government has not restricted the movement of people during the re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Responding to an enquiry by an X user, Faveo Autos, on Saturday, he said the exercise was not brought back to restrict the movement of residents, noting that arresting anyone during the sanitation was unlawful and not backed by law.
However, he encouraged Lagosians to use the period to keep their surroundings clean.
“What is the fine for movement during environmental [sanitation]?” Mr Wahab was asked by Faveo Autos today.
In his response, the Commissioner said, “For clarity, there is no restriction on movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Consequently, arresting anyone on the basis of movement during the exercise is unlawful and does not represent the position or policy of the Lagos State Government.
“The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was reintroduced primarily to restore and strengthen the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state.
“The initiative is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. However, the law does not provide for any restriction on movement during the exercise.
“Our focus is on encouraging Lagosians to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility and a shared commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, rather than relying on enforcement measures.”
Life is full of unexpected moments that test our patience, strength, and perspective. Everyone experiences setbacks, disappointments, and periods of uncertainty. While these moments can feel overwhelming, they also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
One of the most valuable lessons we learn is that difficult situations rarely last forever. Time, reflection, and a willingness to adapt often help us move beyond even the toughest circumstances. Maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on practical solutions can make a significant difference.
Relationships also play an important role in overcoming hardships. Support from family, friends, or mentors reminds us that we are not alone. At the same time, learning to let go of anger and resentment can free us from emotional burdens that prevent us from moving forward.
The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive. It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
Personal growth is not about avoiding challenges but about responding to them with resilience and wisdom. Every experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to the person we become. By embracing change and practicing gratitude, we can create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
In the end, moving forward requires courage, forgiveness, and hope. When we choose to focus on what we can control instead of dwelling on the past, we open ourselves to new opportunities and a brighter future.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The establishment of four new army divisions has been approved by President Bola Tinubu, bringing the total to 12.
In a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, it was stated that the President also authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen national security.
The new divisions created include 5 Division, with the headquarters in Makurdi covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States; 9 Division, with the headquarters in Ilorin covering Kwara and Niger States; 10 Division, with the headquarters in Jalingo covering Taraba and Adamawa States; and 83 Division, with the headquarters in Benin City covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
It was disclosed that the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The statement said the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions will improve the operational effectiveness of the security agency and strengthen national defence capabilities further.
Before now, the Nigerian Army operated 1 Division, with the headquarters in Kaduna covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; 2 Division, with the headquarters in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States; 3 Division, with the headquarters in Jos covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States; 6 Division, with the headquarters in Port Harcourt covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States; 7 Division, with the headquarters in Maiduguri covering Borno and Yobe States; 8 Division, with the headquarters in Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States; 81 Division, with the headquarters in Lagos covering Lagos and Ogun States; and 82 Division, with the headquarters in Enugu covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
Mr Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
He lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
