General
Subsidy Removal: Youths Hail Kyari’s Transparency Drive, Call for Patience
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The chief executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr Mele Kyari, has been commended for promoting transparency, probity, accountability, and good governance in the Nigerian oil and gas industry vis-à-vis his handling of the recent fuel subsidy removal initiative.
This commendation came from Nigerian youths under the aegis of the Nigerian Youths Alliance (NYA) through a statement co-signed by their national president, Ifeanyi Ogbu, and secretary, Yemisi Oluwadamiro, in Abuja, on Wednesday.
They specifically praised Mr Kyari for his transparency in the company’s payment of an interim dividend of N123 billion to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) for the month of June, barely two months after the federal government stopped subsidy payments.
While calling on Nigerians to be patient with the government over the temporary pains caused by the removal of the petrol subsidy, the young citizens urged the NNPCL chief to remain focused and avoid distraction sponsored by oppositions, anti-democratic elements and corrupt individuals who had fed fat by milking the country with the subsidy payment scheme.
According to the statement, “As Nigerian youths, even in these trying times, we must recognize, commend and encourage the efforts of our patriots who are having sleepless nights to ensure this nation works.
“Without mincing words, we know that at this time, fuel subsidy must go if this country must rise from its dying state and survive.
“Many oil marketers and corrupt individuals had become billionaires overnight at the expense of Nigerians with the continued payment of subsidies and these funds could have been channelled to better the lives of Nigerians and grow the economy.
“These individuals, by their sheer unconscionable criminality, subverted the noble idea behind the subsidy programme, which was for government to subsidize the cost of petrol to make it affordable to the masses.
“Rather than keep to the terms of the deal with the government, these marketers and their crooked allies repeatedly divert and smuggle petroleum products to neighbouring countries where they sell at higher rates and thus make more profit even after collecting subsidy money from the Nigerian government.
“Though it comes with sacrifices, Nigerians must know that there is no gain without pain.
“Therefore, we commend the bold and audacious initiatives of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
“The removal of the fuel subsidy is not about the president or the group chief executive officer of the NNPC Limited, but about the good and wellness of Nigerians.
“It’s however sad that oppositions and some corrupt elements who are angered that their ill source of wealth has been blocked with the removal of subsidy have continued to sponsor hatred and lies against the hardworking chief executive of the NNPCL, Mallam Mele Kyari.
“We are, however, not surprised because every genuine change for growth meets strong resistance and force, and someone must bear the brunt.
“In the history of the oil company, Mr Kyari has proven to be a man of selfless service, integrity, outstanding astute industry technocrat, and professional par excellence.
“Nigerians will attest to the fact that Kyari’s achievements have surpassed all his predecessors for the past 20 years.
“He has distinguished himself to be a visionary and professional manager with a towering repertoire of the inner workings of the industry, having served in various positions over the years.
“In barely two months since the government stopped payment of fuel subsidy payment, he delivered a whopping N123 billion to FAAC. This is commendable.
“Before his assumption of office as the GMD of the defunct NNPC, there were a lot of unresolved and knotty issues lingering and hampering the sector from achieving its potential. He stepped in and proffered solutions to them.
“Even before the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, which he promoted, Kyari convinced Nigerians of the new direction of the NNPC by making the financial books open transparently for public probity, which has changed the opacity in the system.
“NNPC financial books have never been opened transparently for public scrutiny over the years, but Kyari changed the narratives.
“He has effectively deployed his wealth of experience to spearhead giant innovations which have helped in repositioning the NNPC today.
“In his bid to put an end to the business of oil thieves, in 2022, Kyari introduced the “Crude Theft Monitoring Application” (CTMA) to check the theft of Nigeria’s oil. The CTMA, which has been helpful in preventing oil theft, has application options for reporting incidents, with prompt follow-up and responses and another one for crude sales documents validation.
“Not quite long after Kyari assumed office, the stifling Covid-19 pandemic hit the world economy, which adversely affected the petroleum industry real hard; the price of crude oil dropped sharply in the international market, which affected our revenue earnings drastically but with resilience and careful handling of its affairs, we were able to come out stronger.
“While we plead with Nigerians to be patient as the dividends for their current pains will come soon, we urge the new NNPCL and its management to remain focused and sustain their good works even as the country navigates through these trying moments.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State Police Command is investigating the delivery of a parcel containing live ammunition delivered to the managing director of First Bank Nigeria, Mr Oluwasegun Alebiosu.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State command, Mr Tijani Fatai, confirmed the incident on Tuesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters.
He said Mr Alebiosu reported the case on May 7, noting that two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were sent to him through a parcel.
“The managing director reported the matter to the police after a package containing two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition was delivered on his behalf by his security guard at his residence. The case is still under investigation, and we are treating it with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.
According to him, the parcel was first received by the bank chief’s security guard, who then handed it over to him.
The police commissioner said that operatives have launched an investigation, including forensic analysis and intelligence work, to identify the perpetrators and the circumstances of the incident.
He added that no suspect linked to the crime has been brought into custody.
“Presently, no suspect is in custody. Even though the MD has mentioned some people whom he suspected of being the brains behind it, that is his suspicion, anyway. We are still working on it,” he said.
Mr Fatai noted that detectives are reviewing information provided by the complainant, including details of individuals who may have relevant knowledge of the incident.
He assured the public that the command would keep them informed as the investigations go on, adding that the public should allow the police to carry out their duties.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has approved the declaration of a 16-hour curfew in 10 local government areas of the state, as part of measures targeted at tackling insecurity.
According to a memo issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Musibau Babatunde, the curfew takes effect from Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
The movement restriction, between 4 pm and 8 am, lasts for 48 hours in the first instance and affects local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park.
The affected local councils are Oriire local government (Headquarters: Ikoyi-Ile), Orelope (Headquarters: Igboho), Irepo (Headquarters: Kisi), Saki West (Headquarters: Saki), Saki East (Hq Ago-Amodu), Atisbo (Headquarters: Tede / Ago-Are), Itesiwaju (Headquarters: Otu), Iseyin (Headquarters: Iseyin), Olorunsogo (Headquarters: Igbeti), and Atiba (Headquarters: Offa-Meta, Oyo).
The development followed a series of protests that rocked the state over the abduction of children and teachers in the Orire Local Government Area in May.
The National Coordinator of the movement, Mr Juwon Sanyaolu, who spoke during the latest protest held on Monday, said the demonstration was part of ongoing efforts by the group to push for the freedom of the victims.
According to him, the protest “is a continuation of actions the organisation has embarked upon since the abduction of children and teachers” in the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State in May.”
“We will continue to protest for the release of all abducted victims until they are free. We believe that government officials are in the comfort of their rooms and offices while innocent 46 students and their teachers are languishing in the kidnappers’ den.
“We are demanding freedom for all captives in the North, South, West, and East of Nigeria,” Mr Sanyaolu said.
He also criticised political leaders for focusing on preparations for the 2027 elections while insecurity continues to threaten the lives of Nigerians.
“We will not be sitting until 2027. By that time, we won’t even know how many will be alive.
“So that is why we are at the heart of Ibadan in Oyo State, where the abduction took place. The state and federal governments must act, or they will continue to witness mass action,” he added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Department of State Services (DSS) has closed its case against former Kaduna State Governor, Mr Nasir El-Rufai, in the ongoing alleged wiretapping trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
At the resumed sitting on Tuesday, prosecuting counsel, Mr Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling further witnesses in the matter, prompting the formal closure of the DSS case.
Following the development, defence counsel, Mr Paul Erokoro, told the court that the defence intends to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution has failed to establish sufficient evidence against the former governor.
The defence subsequently sought two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution requested two weeks to respond.
The defence also applied for a variation of some of the bail conditions earlier granted to El-Rufai, describing them as stringent and difficult to meet.
They argued that the bail terms were too stringent, particularly the requirements for level 17 civil servants with properties in Maitama or Asokoro, as well as verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna state traditional council.
However, the prosecution opposed the request, insisting that qualified public officers who meet the conditions exist and urging the court to refuse the application.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined the request to vary the bail conditions, ruling that there are civil servants who own properties at the said location.
The court, however, adjourned to September 22 for the filing of the no-case submission and continuation of the trial.
In February, the federal government filed a three-count charge against the former governor of Kaduna State over an alleged interception of communications belonging to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Nuhu Ribadu.
In a television interview, he confessed that he and other unnamed individuals listened to conversations from Mr Ribadu’s phone after it was tapped by a third party. While acknowledging that such interception is technically unlawful, he argued that illegal surveillance was not unusual.
However, the FG, through the secret police, filed charges against Mr El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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