Petrol consumption has drastically reduced in Nigeria with filling stations recording sharp drop in patronage as reports from across the country indicate.
This is largely connected to the high cost of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, with a litre selling as much as N1,200 in some parts of the country.
The outright removal of fuel subsidy from PMS by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration on May 29, 2023, has triggered an increase in pump price, rising from N198 first to N580, and ultinately to between N998 and N1,200.
This represents an increase of about 600 per cent from N198, when it was sold pre-May 29.
With the high cost of the product, it has become virtually unaffordable to many Nigerians with citizens parking their vehicles at home, and filling stations recording low sales, as confirmed by stakeholders in interviews with our reporters.
There are conflicting reports on the daily petroleum consumption. While some reports said it has dropped by over 50 per cent, another report suggested it has dropped by 92 per cent from what it was in 2023.
But reports from across the states indicated a drastic drop with some filling stations complaining of very low patronage while many states that they are at the brink of shutdown.
In a bold call for continued reform, Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South in Nigeria’s National Assembly, urged President Bola Tinubu to further intensify his recent cabinet reshuffle by dismissing additional underperforming ministers. The senior lawmaker made his appeal in a statement released on October 26, 2024, lauding Tinubu’s commitment to restructuring while advocating for deeper, more strategic changes to fully realize the administration’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
“The President has taken a commendable step by restructuring his cabinet, but some ministers are still not up to the task,” Ndume stated, endorsing Tinubu’s recent decision to replace five ministers, reassign ten others, and establish the Ministry of Regional Development to succeed the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
Ndume further proposed that President Tinubu convene a national economic summit to foster home-grown solutions for the country’s pressing economic challenges. He recommended an expert panel comprising respected Nigerian economists and former ministers, including Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Oby Ezekwesili, Akinwumi Adesina, Mansur Muktar, Arunma Oteh, and economist Tope Fasua.
“This national economic summit should be purely led by these eminent Nigerians, who will provide recommendations tailored to our context instead of relying on the IMF and World Bank, whose prescriptions are often harsh on ordinary citizens,” Ndume argued, stressing the need for local expertise to alleviate external economic pressures.
In addition to backing Tinubu’s reforms, Ndume acknowledged the President’s efforts to cut down the cost of governance and urged similar measures across other branches of government. He emphasized that input from Nigerian experts could yield the long-term strategic direction the country needs, especially as Nigerians face rising economic hardships.
The Senator expressed his confidence in Tinubu’s willingness to adopt expert recommendations, affirming that, with the right moves, Nigeria’s economic landscape can achieve sustainable progress.
The Ogun State Government, through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, has suspended a teacher alleged to have beaten and punished one Master Monday Arijo, an SS2 student of Obada Grammar School, Obada, Idi-emi, which reportedly led to his demise.
The incident, which happened on Friday, also led to the immediate arrest of the teacher, as the Principal of the school, Mrs. Tamrat Onaolapo was promptly queried for allowing corporal punishment to be used on the pupil against the established rules and regulations in the state.
The principal was given 24 hours to explain her actions and why disciplinary actions should not be taken against her for acting against the instructions of constituted authority.
Subsequently, a letter of condolence was sent to the bereaved family, commiserating with them on the sudden death of their loving son and promising to get justice for the family.
The letter, which was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, described the late learner as an exceptional pupil who would be missed by his colleagues, the school, and the state at large.
It then prayed for requisite strength for the family to bear the irreplaceable loss as well as for the repose of the departed soul.
The oil markets have addressed a letter to the President, dated October 21, in which they are requesting a grant of N100 billion to assist in preventing the closure of impacted 10,000 marketers’ businesses in the coming weeks.
Dr. Joseph Obele, the National Public Relations Officer for PETROAN, stated that the price of a truckload of PMS has surged from N7 million to N47 million over the past 16 months.
He said, “Three days ago, there was a meeting at the national headquarters of PETROAN. At the meeting, there was, an indication that about 10,000 of our members would quit business in the next 45 days because their trading capital had been severely affected.
“That was why we wrote a letter to Mr President, dated October 21, requesting a grant of N100bn to save the affected marketers’ businesses from shutting down in the next few weeks.”
Abubakar Maigandi, the President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, acknowledged that there has been a decline in fuel consumption. He noted that the union’s members have also been impacted by this situation.
“There is a drop in consumption and the price of a truckload is higher now. So, we have reduced the quantity of fuel we buy. For instance, someone who bought 10 trucks before can only buy eight now. So, we haven’t been getting the right quantity that we are supposed to get. We sell only the little quantities we get,” he said.
The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has highlighted that the failure of oil marketers to purchase fuel has led to job losses for truck drivers and employees at petrol stations across the nation.
Mr. Afolabi Olawale, the Secretary-General of NUPENG, stated, “The economy is not smiling at all. Many petrol station owners cannot even buy a single truckload, and this has affected our members. Those of them that are truck drivers hardly get loads to carry anymore. Many petrol stations have closed down and our members who are petrol station workers have lost their jobs.
“This is an unfolding situation. It’s evolving, so I may not be able to give you the actual number of people affected now because we have those in the informal and formal sectors. We have people in the upstream, downstream, and midstream. But I don’t have the statistics right here with me to give you.
“Though everybody is affected, those in the downstream are the most affected. It affects those in the downstream sector directly because they are truck drivers, station workers, and the representatives of the marketers at different depots.”
In a tragic incident at Obada Idi-Emi High School, located in Imeko Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, a student identified as Ariyo has reportedly died after a teacher allegedly administered 162 strokes of the cane as punishment for breaking a dustbin.
The incident was brought to light by an activist, Adetoun, who posted about it on Instagram. According to Adetoun’s account, the teacher had brought a dustbin into Ariyo’s class with strict instructions that it should not be broken. Ariyo, in a playful response, allegedly remarked that the dustbin was purchased with student funds, which reportedly angered the teacher.
Following this, the teacher escalated the matter to the school principal, who then ordered Ariyo’s punishment. Acting on these instructions, the teacher allegedly proceeded to flog Ariyo repeatedly. During the course of the punishment, Ariyo reportedly collapsed and lost consciousness.
Adetoun further alleged that school staff, including the teacher, delayed taking Ariyo to a hospital for medical attention. When he was eventually taken to a hospital, he was pronounced dead.
Confirming the incident on Friday, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said the student was confirmed dead at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, the state capital.
She said contrary to reports of being beaten 162 strokes of a cane, Ariyo was made to perform 162 frog jumps and was beaten 24 strokes of the cane.
She said, “The incident happened on October 15, 2024. The deceased was asked to do 162 frog jumps and was given 24 strokes of the cane.
“He was rushed to FMC Idi-Aba for medical attention and he died today (October 25). The deceased body has been deposited at the Ayetoro mortuary for autopsy. An investigation is ongoing.”
Obasanjo had an exclusive interview with the News Central team and the state of Nigeria nation was discussed. He spoke on his time as President, the debt he met and how to he got forgiven for Nigeria. Obasanjo however berated the current huge debt profile of Nigeria which has drained the resources of the country.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Thursday, expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s escalating debt, criticizing the country’s financial management years after he left office in 2007.
In a candid interview with News Central Television, Obasanjo revealed that he left Nigeria with a substantial $70 billion, comprising a $45 billion reserve and $25 billion in an “excess crude” account.
The Osun State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Dr. Michael Adaralewa has condemned the allegedo Police brutality, assault and illegal detention of an NSCDC personnel in Police Custody.
Dr. Adaralewa in statement by the State Civil Defence, PRO, ASC Kehinde Adeleke,narrated that the incident intially started last Tuesday, around 8pm, at an Estate around Abeere Area Osogbo, when a group of individuals claimed to be police officers in “ANKARA ” cloth drove recklessly into the estate with a private sienna vehicle,to arrest a suspect.
He explained that the NSCDC who manned the security post, requested for means of identification which the individuals who claimed to be Policemen failed to provide and brutally assaulted the NSCDC official.
The State NSCDC Boss noted that the men came back to the Estate the next day ,arrested the Officer, his uniform was torn, brutalized , disarmed, handcuffed like a common criminal, and forcefully taken to Ataoja Division before being moved to the Police State Headquarters.
Dr. Adaralewa who explained that he was released today, after he had been made to undergo more humiliating treatment in the hands of policemen on duty called for thorough investigation into the matter and bring perpetrators to book.
Dr. Adaralewa “We demand there should be no sacred cow in the matter, and we are not going to allow the matter to be swept under the rug”
Meanwhile, in a statement by the Osun State police public relations officer, Yemisi Opalola, the police denied the allegations.
The statement explains that “Policemen came from Oyo State on investigation activities to an Estate in Osogbo to arrest a suspected criminal, they met Civil defence personnel guarding the place who prevented them from arresting the criminal and in the process; beat-up and injured two police officers and deflated the tires of their vehicle.
“The Policemen thereafter called for reinforcement from the nearest Division around the place. Upon arrival of the reinforcement, the Policemen were rescued and one of the Civil Defence personnel who assaulted the Police officers and prevented them from performing their lawful duty was arrested and taken to State CID for investigation.
The Oyo State Government has reopened application portal for the new recruitment of applicants into various categories of primary health care.
The statement was made available by Azees Olasumbo Ganiyat, Director, Admin and General Supply of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board.
We are pleased to announce the reopening of our Job application portal for the underlisted Cadre.
Nursing Officer Staff Nurse (Health) Staff Nurse (Midwife II) Community Health Officer (CHO) Junior Community Health Extension Worker (JCHEW) Medical Record Technician Pharmacy Technician In-Training Medical Officer Community Health Influential & Promotional Service Dental Technician
Kindly Note that applicants that scored 50% in the last Oyo State Primary Health Care Board CBT Examination are not permitted to apply.
And also, Applicants are advised to check appropriate Qualification (s) or Certification (s) as applicable to each choosen Job.
An Ibadan-based property development and engineering firm, Binatech Engineering Services Limited, yesterday turned the sod to flag off the construction of a state-of-the art storey shopping complex in Iseyin Local Government.
The 32-unit shopping complex is located inside the council directly facing Iseyin-Ibadan main express way.
In his opening remark, the Council Chairman, Mr. Rasaq Fadiran expressed his joy, saying “the initiative of Private-Public Partnership designed for the project and the foundation which was laid today would be the first of its kind in this Local Government”. The Council boss used the ocassion to commend State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde for providing an enabling environment for development to thrive in Iseyin.
Managing Director of the company, Engr. Abiodun Adeola while speaking gave a brief background of the company as a firm whose scope of operation cuts across all areas of mechanical, civil and electrical engineering services.
He highlighted the importance of the shopping complex as a project that would contribute to the development of Iseyin in terms of job creation for the teeming youths, increasing trading activities of the town, returns on investment to investors as well as revenue generation to the local government.
He was quoted as saying, “I thank the immediate past chairman of the council, Hon. Mufutau Abilawon who initiated the project and also commend the incumbent chairman, Hon. Fadiran who through his resilience got approval for the commencement of the project”.
The project is Public Private Partnership arrangement between the council and the contractor. The firm is also constructing 150 unit shopping complex at Oyo State Library Board Dugbe, Ibadan and almost completed.
The 33 unit shopping complex would be managed on build and transfer process to interested lessee for 50 years.
The firm will provide hundred percent funding while the council only provided the land for the construction based on PPP arrangement which will last for 50 years before the council finally takes over.
Among those who graced the occasion were the PDP Chairman in the Council area, Hon Adele Musedik, Alh Muraina Siaba, Mr Micheal Doyin Babalola, the representative of Aseyin of Iseyin land, oloye Cornelius Odusola, the Ogboye of Isalu.
Religious leaders of the Muslim Community, Christian Association of Nigeria and Isese Traditionalists had their representatives at the occasion.
The Councillor representing ward 10, owode-ipapo itesiwaju local government Oyo state, Hon. Princess Ajibola Yemisi Awujoola, has commenced a day medical outreach today Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. The outreach aims to provide free medical services to the indigenes of Owode-Ipapo Constituency.
This initiative, sponsored by Hon. Ajibola Yemisi Awujoola brought together medical experts from various lines of healthcare.
In her address, Hon. Ajibola Yemisi Awujoola expressed gratitude to the patients who came from all parts of the constituency to benefit from the free medical outreach.
She highlighted several reasons why she deemed fit to organize health programme at a time when Nigerians are facing economic hardship which could trigger several health related issues.
While speaking further, she said there is need to embark on general medical check up to ascertain the health status of some of his constituents because of her belief that health is wealth.
“This outreach aims at addressing several health problems confronting such as ranging from blood pressure, sugar level, Malaria test and more.
“When a patient is diagnosed and it becomes positive, such patient would be provided with free medication and counseling on the best possible way to manage the illness”.
She therefore encouraged them to take full advantage of the free medical services to diagnose and treat their health issues.
