By Modupe Gbadeyanka

President Bola Tinubu has been applauded by the president of Dangote Group, Mr Aliko Dangote, for his steps in repositioning the country’s oil and gas sector.

Recall that recently, Mr Tinubu changed the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, leading to the removal of Mr Mele Kyari as the chief executive, with Mr Bashir Bayo Ojulari chosen to replace him.

Mr Dangote described the new team as eminently qualified to take the NNPC to a greater height, noting that the new management will bring a wealth of technical expertise, and all have managerial experiences that are essential for revitalising Nigeria’s most strategic public enterprise.

“The calibre of individuals at the helm, and their deliberate, reform-driven agenda, demonstrate a commitment to fostering a culture of performance and professionalism,” the businessman said when he visited President Tinubu to commend him for putting together such a formidable and professionally competent team.

“The calibre of individuals at the helm, and their deliberate, reform-driven agenda, demonstrate a commitment to fostering a culture of performance and professionalism,” he added.

Mr Dangote expressed confidence that the new leadership of NNPC will propel the country’s energy industry to new heights and reaffirmed his group’s commitment to supporting the collective vision of a prosperous, energy-secure Nigeria.

Reacting to questions from the select media over the weekend on his statement that he is still fighting for the survival of his $20 billion refinery in Lagos, Mr Dangote said his statement was not in any way connected to the new leadership of the NNPC, noting that the new leadership in the NNPC has been so far supportive in terms of meeting the company’s needs.

He revealed that the cabals he was referring to were some major oil marketers and traders who were bent on frustrating the efforts on President Tinubu in revamping the nation’s economy.

He noted that the recent activities and structural reforms introduced by NNPC serve as strong indicators of the organisation’s renewed focus on transparency, efficiency, and accountability.

By Adedapo Adesanya

As Nigeria marks National Albinism Day, the Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN) has reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the rights, health, and inclusion of persons with albinism (PWAs), urging the government and relevant stakeholders to adopt inclusive policies that address their unique challenges.

Established in 2019, AAN has been at the forefront of championing the welfare of persons with albinism across the country. Through targeted advocacy, education, and partnerships, the association has significantly contributed to increased societal acceptance, reduced school drop-out rates among children with albinism, and greater attention to their health needs at national forums.

According to the organisation, this year’s theme, Protect Your Skin, Be Sun Smart underscores the pressing need to address the health vulnerabilities of PWAs, especially those resulting from sun exposure. Due to the absence of melanin—the natural pigment that protects the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays—persons with albinism are prone to painful sunburns, premature skin aging, vision problems, and an increased risk of skin cancer.

AAN emphasized preventive measures such as the regular use of broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), wearing protective clothing including wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses, avoiding peak sunlight hours, and seeking routine medical checkups for early detection of skin conditions.

In a statement shared with Business Post, Mrs Bisi Bamishe, National President of AAN, made a strong appeal to the government:

“We are calling on the Nigerian government to include sunscreen in the list of essential medicines under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Sunscreen is not a luxury for persons with albinism—it is a necessity for survival.”

She further stressed the need for more tangible support

“Government should provide free or subsidized protective gear and health services to persons with albinism, especially in rural and underserved areas.”

Highlighting the importance of awareness and capacity building, Mrs. Bamishe said, “We urge health workers and teachers to receive proper training on the specific needs of persons with albinism. This will go a long way in improving service delivery and reducing stigma in schools and health centres.”

She also emphasized the importance of legal protections.

“The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act must be enforced. It is not enough to have laws on paper; we need full implementation to ensure justice and inclusion.”

“We call for public education campaigns to reach deep into rural communities where harmful myths and stereotypes still persist. Awareness is key to acceptance.”

AAN also stressed the need for capacity building initiatives to empower community advocates and peer support systems.

As National Albinism Day is observed, AAN urges Nigerians to stand in solidarity with persons with albinism and work collectively to create a more inclusive, informed, and equitable society.

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu will meet with the leadership of electricity-generating companies (GenCos) over the N4 trillion power sector debt on Tuesday, May 6.

This was disclosed by the Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, who noted that the federal government vowed to urgently address the debt following high-stakes talks between the Minister and chairmen of the power generators in Abuja recently.

He said FG’s intervention was aimed at averting an imminent collapse of the power infrastructure in the country.

Recall that the Minister also promised that the FG will pay 50 per cent of the debt recently.

According to the statement, the Minister assured the GenCos executives that the government would prioritise immediate payment of a significant amount out of the N4 trillion debt, while the balance would be defrayed through other debt instruments.

He said this would be proposed in a meeting being planned between President Tinubu and GenCos’ leadership.

“There is need to pay a substantial amount of the debt in cash. At the minimum, let us pay a substantial amount, then ask for a debt instrument in promissory notes to pay the rest,” he stated, assuring that the payment of the outstanding balance within six months through financial instruments such as promissory notes.

“We recognise the urgency of this matter. The government is committed to resolving this debt to stabilise the sector and prevent further crisis,” Mr Adelabu stated, adding that the President will meet with GenCos leadership to fast-track the process.

The GenCoS were led by the Chairman of Mainstream Energy Solutions, who is also the Chairman of the Association of Power Generating Companies (APGA), Mr Sani Bello, who had earlier sounded the alarm over the sector’s dire state, citing the N4 trillion debt as a critical threat to operations.

He also warned that liquidity challenges had left GenCos unable to secure loans or maintain infrastructure. “Without urgent intervention, the entire power ecosystem could collapse,” he stressed.

Mr Kola Adesina, Chairman of Egbin Power and First Independent Power Limited, echoed the urgency: “This is a national emergency. Everything hinges on power—industries, homes, hospitals. We cannot afford to let the sector fail.”

Mr Adelabu acknowledged the government’s role in the sector’s struggles, pledging to not only clear the debt but also implement reforms to ease operational bottlenecks. He emphasised the need for full liberalisation of the power sector, urging Nigerians to embrace cost-reflective tariffs.

“Citizens must pay the appropriate price for the energy consumed. The Federal Government will continue to provide targeted subsidies for economically disadvantaged Nigerians. We have to understand that our economy cannot sustain subsidies indefinitely,” he asserted, calling for public sensitisation campaigns to drive compliance.

On her part, Mrs Joy Ogaji, CEO of APGC Power, detailed systemic challenges undermining GenCos, including chronic payment defaults, erratic gas supply, and foreign exchange volatility.

She noted that the naira’s plunge from N157/$1 in 2013 to N1,600/$1 had devastated maintenance budgets and loan repayments.

“GenCos have borne unsustainable risks—from grid failures to unproductive taxes—while remaining patriotic,” she said.