The Mandate Secretary for Health in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Dolapo Fasawe has assured the residents that there is no outbreak of Ebola disease in the nation’s capital city as is being rumoured. Speaking to news media today, September 19, the Mandate Secretary however confirmed that a suspected case of Ebola virus disease in the FCT tested negative for both Ebola and Marburg diseases. Dr. Fasawe commended the robust health infrastructure and proactive measures put in place by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, which, she said, enabled the rapid detection and containment of the potential threat. The Secretary said that the suspected case involved an individual, identified as “Patient X” in the FCT, for reasons of confidentiality, who had a travel history from Rwanda, which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo where Ebola has been confirmed. She commended the health-seeking habit of the patient, who she said went directly to a hospital upon feeling ill, praising the hospital for following infectious disease protocols by immediately isolating the patient and contacting the health authorities. “This is not the first suspected case we have had this year, but due to an effective and efficient surveillance system put in place by this administration, we have been able to follow protocols better than other states.” The Secretary aid the recent commissioning of an Emergency Operations Centre and the active surveillance team as key to the swift response. Dr. Fasawe said that the Health Secretariat is working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to secure all borders, particularly the air border, to ensure more vigilance for individuals arriving from countries with confirmed epidemics. The Secretary appealed to media to verify information before publishing to prevent unnecessary panic and stigmatisation. She also issued a direct public health message to all residents, urging them to improve their health-seeking habits. “Every fever is not malaria. If you have any sign of illness, especially with a fever or any abnormal bleeding from the nose, ears, eyes, or any other orifice, it is a very big emergency. “You must report to the nearest health centre immediately.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made a declaration that he would never depart from the legacies of honesty, dedication and patriotism which late President Muhammadu Buhari was well known for. Tinubu, who paid a solidarity visit to the Kaduna residence of late President Buhari, today, September 19, acknowledged that the spirit which the late leader left behind was a spirit of hard work, dedication, patriotism and honesty, “and we are doing that.” President Tinubu, who was received Buhari’s widow, Aisha, the couple eldest son, Yusuf and other relatives and associates of the deceased leader, assured the family that they are not alone in the grief. ”We are just here to assure you that we share in your grief, we share in your pain. ”A loss in flesh is not a loss in the spirit, and the spirit that he left with us is a spirit of hard work, dedication, patriotism and honesty, and we are doing that. ”We assure you and the entire family that we will continue with our leader’s legacy, the mark he made for Nigeria. We will continue on the path of honesty, integrity, and great character that he imbued in us. ”May God help Nigeria, keep us united and together in the promised land.” This was even as the former First Lady, Aisha Buhari thanked the President and his government for supporting the family in their grief. She said that the visit by the President and his delegation was a source of consolation. “I would like to use this medium to thank you once again, the first lady, the wife of the Vice President, for standing by me and my family.” Aisha said that her late husband stood for honesty, integrity and justice, urging Nigerians to emulate his virtues. ”I would like to pray for Nigeria, for peace to reign, for unity of the country, and for you, President Tinubu, to carry on with my late husband’s legacy of honesty, integrity, tolerance, accountability, and justice.” The President was accompanied to the residence by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. The governors of Kwara, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq; Yobe, Mai Mala Buni; Borno, Babagana Zulum; and Sokoto, Ahmed Aliyu, were part of the presidential entourage. The president was also accompanied by Wale Edun, the minister of Finance; Atiku Bagudu, the minister of Budget and Planning; Bello Matawalle, the minister of State for Defence; and Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser. President Tinubu had earlier graced the wedding of Nasirudeen Abdulaziz Yari, son of Senator Abdulaziz Yari, who represents Zamfara West. Nasirudeen tied the knot with Safiyya Shehu Idris at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna metropolis. President Tinubu, accompanied by senior government officials, received the groom’s hand-in-marriage on behalf of the Yari family after the bride’s representative, Ibrahim Ashiru, confirmed the payment of the N1 million dowry. The President commended both families for upholding noble traditions and encouraged the young couple to build their home on faith, love, and mutual respect. The occasion, which drew dignitaries from across the country, including traditional rulers, business leaders and politicians, was marked by prayers for the President and the nation by renowned cleric Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau and the officiating Chief Imam of the mosque, Dr Muhammad Suleiman.
The returned Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has said that he did not challenge the emergency rule declared in the State because he was interested in peaceful resolution of the political crisis that bedeviled the state. He said: “I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr. President and the National Assembly, guided by my conviction that no sacrifice was too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State. “This was why I also resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration of a state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions, and all other actions that we endured during this difficult period.” Governor Fubara made these points today, September 19, in a statewide radio and television broadcast. The full text of the broadcast is reproduced hereunder: My dear good people of Rivers State, Recall that Rivers State was placed under a six-month emergency rule, declared by Mr. President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the 18th of March, 2025, following the intense political crisis in our State. It is without doubt that the last six months had been enormously challenging for our dear State under the emergency rule. As your Governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr. President and the National Assembly, guided by my conviction that no sacrifice was too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State. This was why I also resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration of a state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions, and all other actions that we endured during this difficult period. In the course of the six-month period, Mr. President graciously brokered the peace process with all the parties successfully. Our Leader, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and I, as your Governor, have all accepted to bury the hatchet and embrace peace and reconciliation in the best interest of our dear Rivers State. We believe the political crisis is now behind us and that peace and stability have once again returned to Rivers State, though not without the hard lessons learnt from the emergency rule. The responsibility now rests squarely on us: the Government, the State House of Assembly, political leaders and stakeholders to put aside our differences, work for the common good, and advance the interests of our people above all else. We have a duty to ensure that the peace we have all embraced remains permanent in our dear Rivers State. On behalf of the Government and the good people of Rivers State, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. President for his fatherly disposition and decisive interventions in resolving the political crisis and for graciously restoring full democratic governance to our State. Personally, I will never take Mr. President’s kindness for granted, and for that, I hereby reaffirm my utmost loyalty and eternal gratitude. To those who have expressed genuine fears, frustrations, and uncertainty over the nature of the peace process, I assure you that your concerns are valid and understood. However, nothing has been irretrievably lost; there remains ample opportunity for necessary adjustments, continued reconciliation, and inclusiveness. We must all remember the saying… “the costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war.” Accordingly, let us, therefore, embrace this moment as a fresh beginning. Let us work together with renewed hope and determination to build a stronger, more peaceful and prosperous Rivers State. I assure you that we will continuously work towards ensuring that we carry everyone along. Despite the turbulence, you are aware of the credible milestones our administration achieved in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other key sectors over the last two years. Our immediate responsibility is to return to the path of governance and development by completing the projects which we started by ensuring none of them is starved of funds or neglected, thereby reviving our economy, protecting lives and property, and improving the wellbeing of all Rivers people. I commit to working harmoniously with the Rivers State House of Assembly to recover lost grounds and accelerate the social and economic advancement of our dear State. I also renew my pledge to serve with the fear of God, humility and a high sense of duty. I wish to sincerely thank you, the resilient people of Rivers State, for your patience, courage, and peaceful conduct during the six months of emergency rule. I also extend appreciation to all stakeholders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, political actors, women groups, youths, concerned citizens at home and abroad, and well-wishers whose prayers and support sustained us through the challenging period. Above all, let us draw strength from our shared identity as Rivers people. Our diversity is our greatest asset, and our unity the strongest guarantee of our future. We must rise above bitterness and division and channel our energies into rebuilding trust, fostering inclusiveness, and securing a peaceful and prosperous State for all. Once again, I thank and appreciate our Father, Mr President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his timely intervention and dedication to ensuring the restoration of peace and stability in our State. I also thank our Leader, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for committing to the prompt resolution of the political impasse in the State. I also wish to express my profound thanks to the President of the Senate His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency Dr. Abbas Tajudeen; and the distinguished members of the National Assembly for the role they all played in the resolution of the matter. I thank the Honourable Speaker and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, respected elders, stakeholders and all concerned citizens for working together to resolve our differences and ensuring peace and harmony in our State. Finally, I call on all citizens of Rivers State, regardless of political, religious, or ethnic affiliation, to join hands in rebuilding our beloved State and securing a future of dignity and progress for everyone. In all, I give glory to the Almighty God. Thank you all. May God bless Rivers State and all its people. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu has brought to an end, the six month state of emergency governance which he declared in Rivers State, acknowledging the restoration of the new spirit of democracy amongst all the stakeholders. Tinubu declared today, September 17: “I am happy today that, from the intelligence available to me, there is a groundswell of a new spirit of understanding, a robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm on the part of all the stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance. “This is undoubtedly a welcome development for me and a remarkable achievement for us. I therefore do not see why the state of emergency should exist a day longer than the six months I had pronounced at the beginning of it. “It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today. The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from 18 September 2025.” The President reminded the Governors and the Houses of Assembly of all the States in the country to continue to appreciate that it is only in an atmosphere of peace, order and good government that dividends of democracy to our people can be delivered. “I implore all of you to let this realisation drive your actions at all times.” Tinubu recalled that on 18th March, 2025, was pronounced by him during which time he highlighted the reasons for the declaration. “The summary of it for context is that there was a total paralysis of governance in Rivers State, which had led to the Governor of Rivers State and the House of Assembly being unable to work together. Critical economic assets of the State, including oil pipelines, were being vandalised. The State House of Assembly was crisis-ridden, such that members of the House were divided into two groups. Four members worked with the Governor, while 27 members opposed the Governor. “The latter group supported the Speaker. As a result, the Governor could not present any Appropriation Bill to the House, to enable him to access funds to run Rivers State’s affairs. That serious constitutional impasse brought governance in the State to a standstill. “Even the Supreme Court, in one of its judgments in a series of cases filed by the Executive and the Legislative arms of Rivers State against each other, held that there was no government in Rivers State. “My intervention and that of other well-meaning Nigerians to resolve the conflict proved abortive as both sides stuck rigidly to their positions to the detriment of peace and development of the State.
“It therefore became painfully inevitable that to arrest the drift towards anarchy in Rivers State, I was obligated to invoke the powers conferred on me by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to proclaim the state of emergency. “The Offices of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and elected members of the State House of Assembly were suspended for six months in the first instance. The six months expire today, September 17th, 2025.” The President thanked the National Assembly, which, after critically evaluating the justification for the proclamation, took steps immediately, as required by the Constitution, to approve the declaration in the interest of peace and order in Rivers State. He also thanked the traditional rulers and the people of Rivers State for their support from the date of the declaration of the state of emergency until now. “I am not unaware that there were a few voices of dissent against the proclamation, which led to their instituting over 40 cases in the courts in Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Yenagoa, to invalidate the declaration. That is the way it should be in a democratic setting. ‘Some cases are still pending in the courts as of today. But what needs to be said is that the power to declare a state of emergency is an inbuilt constitutional tool to address situations of actual or threatened breakdown of public order and public safety, which require extraordinary measures to return the State to peace, order and security. Considered objectively, we had reached that situation of total breakdown of public order and public safety in Rivers State, as shown in the judgment of the Supreme Court on the disputes between the Executive and the Legislative arm of Rivers State. “It would have been a colossal failure on my part as President not to have made that proclamation. As a stakeholder in democratic governance, I believe that the need for a harmonious existence and relationship between the executive and the legislature is key to a successful government, whether at the state or national level. “The people who voted us into power expect to reap the fruits of democracy. “However, that expectation will remain unrealizable in an atmosphere of violence, anarchy, and insecurity borne by misguided political activism and Machiavellian manipulations among the stakeholders.”
The Student Union Government (SUG) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN), has sent on indefinite suspension, its President, Chinedu Ozoagu, and seven other executives of the Union over alleged involvement in cultism, threats to life, gross misconduct and financial impropriety. Other suspended officials include the Deputy Speaker, Ihentugo Rejoice, Emmanuel Asadu, and Agbo Sobechukwu Malachy. Others are Chinweike Dorothy, Victory Chidiebere, Chukwuma JohnPaul, and Edmund Solomon. The Union’s House of Representatives suspended the officials following a petition which indicted them of allegedly harbouring and facilitating the activities of cultists and other non-students within the university environment for monetary gains. A statement signed by the Speaker and Clerk of the House of Representatives, Ikechukwu Eze and Chidozie Onah, respectively, said that the indicted officials have been implicated in the tragic murder of a student within the university environment. The statement further alleged that they weaponised cult groups on campus to intimidate and threaten the lives of the Speaker, the Clerk, the Budget Committee Chairman, and other principled members of the House. On financial misconduct, the statement alleged that the former Acting Vice-Chancellor (since removed by the Federal Government) approved the disbursement of N124 million for SUG projects. “Evidence before the House indicates that this sum was withdrawn and shared among external actors and SUG officials, with no project executed. “Furthermore, N100 million withdrawn from the SUG account in the past year remains unaccounted for. “The suspended President has persistently pressured the Speaker to authorise the withdrawal and diversion of an additional N40 million (SUG budget) and N57 million (SUG projects), contrary to the Constitution of the Union and the principles of accountability.”
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Upper Area Court sitting in Kado, Abuja has perpetually restrained one Hadiza Musa Baffa from claiming that a former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Dr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), is the biological father of her child. The Court also dismissed the result of a DNA test presented by Hadiza Baffa, ruling that such a document cannot be used under Islamic law to determine the paternity of a child born outside wedlock. This is just as the former Minister moved to clear his name of rape, ritual and fraud allegations made against him by Hadiza Baffa, dismissing them as “falsehoods, contradictions and unfounded blackmail attempts.” According to the enrolled court order dated September 4, 2025 and obtained by our correspondent, the Judge, Adamu Isah, in his ruling, determined the matter in favour of the former Minister Turaki, who is the plaintiff. The court ordered as follows: 1. “A perpetual injunction restraining the defendant (Hadiza Baffa), whether by herself, her agents, privies, servants or by any other person acting through her or for her from using or relying on any purported DNA in ascribing or attributing the paternity of her child to the plaintiff (Turaki). 2. “A perpetual injunction restraining the defendant (Baffa), whether by herself, her agents, privies, servants or by any other person acting through her or for her publishing in the social media or traditional media, any content, statement, image or material suggesting or ascribing the defendant’s child born outside wedlock to the plaintiff.” Meanwhile, Turaki has dismissed the rape, ritual and fraud allegations made against him by Hadiza Musa Baffa, describing them as “falsehoods, contradictions, and unfounded blackmail attempts.” Turaki’s lawyer, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, (SAN), speaking to newsmen in his chamber in Abuja today, September 16, said that all facts presented in defence of his client were backed by verifiable court judgments, certified police records and petitions lodged with relevant authorities. Abdulaziz Ibrahim said that contrary to Hadiza Baffa’s recent social media campaign tagged “Justice for Hadiza Baffa,” official records revealed she had on several occasions withdrawn her own petitions, issued apologies, and contradicted earlier statements. Citing certified police documents where Hadiza Baffa named different drivers in separate accounts, Turaki’s lawyer noted that her new claims of confiding in friends never appeared in her original reports. The ex-Minister’s lawyer said that a civil suit instituted by his client, Turaki, to determine the paternity of Baffa’s daughter was decided in his favour, with the court ruling that the child does not belong to him, adding that the judgment has not been appealed. He explained that while the former minister once acted as Hadiza Baffa’s guardian at the request of her mother, her repeated misconduct and fraudulent activities, including forgery, impersonation and multiple scam operations, forced him to sever ties with her. Turaki’s lawyer cited some of Hadiza Baffa’s documented infractions to include: forging ECOWAS and J.K. Gadzama law firm ID cards to defraud unsuspecting victims; operating fake forex and Instagram rental scams, one of which was reported by Sahara Reporters; forging a Baze University certificate after her withdrawal from the institution; and fraudulently obtaining an international passport bearing Turaki’s name while posing as his daughter. Ibrahim said that police investigations also disproved Hadiza Baffa’s claims of rape, abortions and rituals. Hospital records, instead, showed that she had only been treated for drug misuse and miscarriages, with no evidence linking Turaki to her medical history. “Her stories simply could not be substantiated.” Turaki’s lawyer added that Hadiza Baffa and her father admitted in writing that one Saidu Mohammed Mainasara orchestrated the blackmail campaign against Turaki. He said that in spite of this, she allegedly attempted to extort the former minister with demands for ₦850 million, ₦47 million to clear rent arrears, and a luxury house in Maitama or Asokoro. “All these facts are documented. The truth is public, the courts have spoken, and the police records are clear. “Her ongoing online smear campaign is nothing more than a desperate attempt to extort money from our client.” Turaki, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former presidential aspirant, appealed to the public and the media to disregard Hadiza Musa Baffa’s baseless allegations and blackmail.
With the killing of top three commanders of Boko Haram fighters in Borno State, the Nigerian military have heightened the anxiety in the camp of the factions of the insurgents. Intelligence sources revealed how the Nigerian Air Force fighter jets destroyed multiple structures and killed at least three top commanders in their enclaves in Gobara and Balangaje, deep inside Sambisa Forest. The top commanders killed were identified as Mustafa, Ba Bunu and Awana Kura. The air strikes, according to intercepted communication, have thrown Boko Haram fighters and their families into confusion and panic. One of the senior commanders, Modu Kunduli, was said to have informed another notorious leader, Bakura (alias Weeze), that morale among fighters had simmered down significantly due to the constant bombardments. Bakura, who is believed to be operating around the Kwajaffa–Ngabur axis in Hawul Local Government Area, was also quoted as acknowledging similar concerns among his men after sighting air force jets over Garkida and Gombi. Another intelligence report said that the insurgents are considering relocating to Ngulde in Askira/Uba Local Government Area to evade aerial surveillance and regroup, pending directives from their top command. Security sources confirmed that troops on the ground have been placed on heightened alert to track possible insurgent movements and prevent the establishment of new safe havens. Source: PRNigeria.
The Presidency has swore that economically, Nigeria is moving in the right direction. In a statement today, September 15, reacting to Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President who painted a sordid picture of pervading hunger in the country, Bola Tinubu’s Presidency said that Atiku and his party are stuck in the past and fixated on doomsday scenarios. The statement, issued by the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga accused Atiku of engaging in what it called “revolutionary rhetoric. ” Ironically, many of the challenges we face today stem from the economic mismanagement during the PDP years, when Atiku was Vice President. “President Tinubu and his team are working relentlessly to correct those errors, with bold reforms.” Onanuga said that after just two years and five months in office, “we are proud of the progress being made under President Tinubu’s leadership. Atiku and his allies may choose to ignore these gains, but Nigerians can see and feel the positive changes taking place across the nation.” Onanuga referred to Atiku’s accusation as amounting to cheap talk. “Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his handlers are clearly out of touch with the positive developments currently unfolding in our country. “Their claim that hunger is ravaging Nigeria, and their comparison of our situation to the unrest in France before the 1789 Revolution or the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, is grossly misleading. “Their latest statement demonstrates a disconnect from the authentic Nigerian reality, as recent data tells a different story. Just today, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released its figures for August, showing that headline inflation has declined for the fifth consecutive month. “Over the weekend, the NBS also reported a record trade surplus, with the contribution of non-oil exports to our trade balance now nearly matching that of crude oil at a ratio of 48:52 per cent. “Our foreign exchange reserves are on the rise, now approaching $42 billion. When President Tinubu assumed office, reserves stood at $32 billion, much of it encumbered. This administration has since cleared over $7 billion in arrears, including $800 million owed to airlines. “Under President Tinubu, Nigeria is recording unprecedented revenues. States are now able to pay salaries and gratuities promptly and still have surplus funds for capital and social projects—an achievement not previously witnessed at this scale.”
“Many individuals with greater financial resources than myself want to invest (in the industrialisation of Nigeria) but the challenges I am facing (in the hand of cabal) discourage them. Numerous sectors are still in urgent need of industrialisation.” These were the words of the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote when he spoke today, September 15, at a conference to mark the first anniversary of the launch of petrol from the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote refinery in Lagos. Aliko Dangote emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria to protect its local industries and discourage the dumping of cheap foreign goods, citing the collapse of the once-thriving textile sector as an example. He said that Nigeria’s path to sustainable economic growth lies in industrialisation, which not only boosts local productivity but also supports a circular economy. “Other nations were not industrialized by outsiders. We must build and industrialize our own economies. Without this, how can others invest? “That is why I believe the National Assembly should enact legislation to support the Federal Government’s ‘Nigeria First’ policy. “My goal is to see Africa prosper, as we have the fastest-growing population in the world. “Relying on imports means exporting jobs and importing poverty.” He reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s industrialisation, describing it as essential for the continent’s development. On the refinery, the Chief Executive, said that since the refinery began producing petrol a year ago, Nigeria’s five-decade-long struggle with fuel queues has finally come to an end. According to him, Nigerians have endured persistent fuel queues since 1975 but that the issue has been steadily resolved since the refinery commenced production on 3rd September 2024. “We have been battling fuel queues since 1975, but today Nigerians are witnessing a new era.” He acknowledged the numerous challenges the refinery has been facing since its inception, saying that the company is ever committed to Nigeria and Africa. “The journey has been challenging because we sought to transform the downstream sector in Nigeria. “Some believed we were taking food from their tables, which simply isn’t true. What we have done is to make our country and continent proud. Previously, only two African countries were not importing petrol, but regrettably, they have since resumed imports. This is detrimental to Africa.” Dangote stressed that the refinery project involved enormous risk, adding that he received repeated warnings from industry experts, investors, local and foreign government officials, who argued that only sovereign nations undertook such large-scale refinery ventures. He admitted that had the project failed, he would have lost all his assets to lenders. “The decision to build the refinery was not easy. If it had gone wrong, lenders would have taken our assets. But we believed in Nigeria and Africa.” He said that despite opposition and economic headwinds, the refinery has successfully reduced the price of petrol from nearly N1,100 before production began to N841 in the Southwest, Abuja, Delta, Rivers, Edo and Kwara. With the gradual rollout of CNG-powered trucks. He anticipated this price reduction will soon be felt nationwide. He said that the refinery has sufficient capacity to meet Nigeria’s domestic demand while also generating foreign exchange through exports. He revealed that between June and first week of September 2025, the facility had exported over 1.1 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), underscoring its capacity to meet domestic demand and contribute significantly to foreign exchange earnings. Dangote said that the refinery has no intention of displacing workers but is instead generating thousands of new employment opportunities. According to him, the deployment of 4,000 CNG-powered trucks is expected to create at least 24,000 jobs across Nigeria. “We have not displaced any jobs; we are creating many more. The CNG trucks will not be operated by robots. “Our employees earn salaries three times the minimum wage. Our drivers receive a living wage, life insurance, health insurance covering themselves, their spouses, and up to four children, as well as a lifelong pension. “We are not only employing drivers but also mechanics, fleet managers, and other professionals to support the CNG fleet.” Dangote said that while the company respects trade unions, membership is a personal choice for each driver. He said that with the introduction of CNG trucks, the refinery can deliver products to consumers anywhere in Nigeria, mitigating all associated risks. Dangote reiterated that the refinery remains open to partnerships and collaborations with other stakeholders in the downstream sector. He stressed that the industry stands to gain more through collective effort and cooperation, even as he said that the refinery has no plans to enter the retail market. Looking ahead, Dangote announced that the refinery’s capacity would be expanded to 700,000 barrels per day in its second year of operation, with the aim of further supporting economic growth and job creation. “Nigeria has now become the refining hub of Africa. We are set to become the largest exporter of polypropylene and are aiming to make Nigeria the world’s leading producer of fertiliser. “These initiatives will generate substantial foreign exchange, create employment, and stimulate growth in other sectors. “We are fully committed to supporting the government in adding value, creating jobs, and building a stronger economy.” He expressed his gratitude to the Federal Government, the refinery’s partners, dedicated workforce, and the Nigerian public for their continued support. He commended the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) for encouraging its members to register for the free distribution initiative utilising CNG-powered trucks. Dangote also used the occasion to showcase some of the CNG-powered trucks currently loading petrol from the refinery, emphasising that the company will successfully deploy all 4,000 trucks across the country soon. He allayed any fears of potential attacks on the drivers or the trucks, stressing that Nigeria is a country governed by the rule of law and that security agencies are fully empowered to protect its citizens and infrastructure.
The Joint Tax Board (JTB) has described as fake news, rumours making the rounds in the social media that Nigerians without a Tax Identification (Tax ID) will be denied access to their bank accounts or prevented from carrying out financial transactions from January 1, 2026. “Nigerians are hereby assured that they will continue to have access to their bank account and also continue to carry out financial transactions even beyond January 1, 2026. These facts were contained in a statement today, September 15, by the JTB, which is made up of the 36 States of the federation, the Internal Revenue Service, the FCT-IRS and the Fedetal Internal Revenue Service. In the statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communications, Akpe E. Adoh, the Joint Tax Board said that in line with the tax reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Government is working to make tax compliance simpler, fairer and more inclusive for all Nigerians. “These reforms include eliminating multiple taxation, granting tax exemptions to vulnerable individuals and small businesses, and ensuring that the majority of Nigerians will pay lower taxes under the new tax regime.” The statement said that the relevant bodies in the Joint Tax Board are working together on a harmonised National Tax Identification system. “This system will leverage the National Identification Number (NIN) for individuals and the Registration Number (RC) for businesses as unique identifiers for tax purposes. This initiative will enable the seamless and automatic generation of Tax IDS for individuals with NIN and businesses with RC thereby making it easier for Nigerians to comply with tax requirements without any disruption to their banking and/or financial activities. “We therefore urge the public to remain calm and ignore any claims to the contrary. “Again, we restate for the avoidance of doubt that Nigerians will continue to have access to their bank accounts and carry out financial services beyond January 1, 2026, and no one will be denied access on account of not having a Tax ID. “The JTB remains committed to implementing people-centred tax policies that promote economic growth, fairness, and ease of doing business while ensuring that Nigeria remains a tax friendly environment.”
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“It therefore became painfully inevitable that to arrest the drift towards anarchy in Rivers State, I was obligated to invoke the powers conferred on me by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to proclaim the state of emergency.
