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FG Ready to Assist Flood-Prone States—Betta Edu

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flood-prone states

By Adedapo Adesanya

Following the opening of Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam, the federal government has said that intense flooding would be experienced in some states in the next seven days, and it is ready to assist them.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ms Betta Edu, said this on Monday when she hosted the Minister of Water Resources,  Mr Joseph Utsev, as well as other stakeholders on ways to mitigate the impact of the flooding in Nigeria.

The Minister assured Nigerians that shelters would be provided to residents in flood-prone states.

Although she didn’t mention the states, based on last year’s data, some of these states would include Jigawa, Rivers, Cross River, Taraba, Delta, and Kogi, among others.

It will be recalled that in 2022, Nigeria experienced what was described as the worst flood disaster in a decade, as over 1.4 million people were displaced, 3,181 persons were injured, over 660 persons were killed, and about 82,035 houses were damaged.

A total of 4,476,867 persons were also affected by the flood, 2,437,411 persons were displaced, about 944,989 farmlands were damaged, and 355,986 houses were partially or totally destroyed by floods.

According to a United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) report in 2022, more than 2.5 million people in Nigeria needed humanitarian assistance, of which 60 per cent were children, who were also at increased risk of waterborne diseases, drowning, and malnutrition due to the most severe flooding witnessed by Nigeria in the past decade.

On its part, the Global Rapid (Post Disaster) Damage Estimation, GRADE Report of 2022 floods in Nigeria noted that well over 650,000 hectares of crops were reportedly damaged, with modelling and other reports suggesting this is expected to increase past 1,000,000 hectares damaged or destroyed.

The median estimate of these damages was put around $1.837 billion with a significant range ($526 million – $2.473 billion) given changing yields, damage ratios, replanting possibilities, and uncertainties in market values of crops, livestock, and fisheries.

On Monday, Business Post reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alerted the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) of an impending flooding along the River Benue basin.

This was communicated through a letter signed by Mr Umar Salisu, the Ministry’s Director of African Affairs, dated August 21, announcing that the Cameroonian government plans to “open the flood gates of the Lagdo Dam on the Benue River in days ahead”.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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Dangote Unveils Phone Number to Report MRS Stations Selling PMS Above N739

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Dangote monopoly Political Economy of Failure

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.

This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.

“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.

“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.

The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.

Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.

By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.

The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.

“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 statement added.

Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.

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ANLCA Airport Chapter Scores Salamatu High on Stakeholder Engagement, Trade Facilitation

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ANLCA Airport Chapter

By Bon Peters

The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.

At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.

At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.

“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.

He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.

The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating  trade and increasing Revenue generation.”

“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.

“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.

“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.

Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.

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FG Declares Holidays for Christmas, New Year Celebrations

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as public holidays

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.

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