The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reaffirmed that it will maintain the progress made on the Port Harcourt refinery.

The NNPCL gave this assurance on Tuesday night through a statement signed by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye.

“The Board and Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) express heartfelt appreciation to Nigerians for their support and excitement over the safe and successful restart of the 60,000 barrels-per-day Old Port Harcourt Refinery,” Soneye said. 

“This achievement marks a significant step forward after years of operational challenges and underperformance.

“We are, however, aware of unfounded claims by certain individuals suggesting that the refinery is not producing products. 

“For clarity, the old Port Harcourt refinery is currently operating at 70% of its installed capacity with plans to ramp up to 90%.”

Soneye said the refinery is producing the following daily outputs: Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha): Blended into 1.4 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol) and Kerosene: 900,000 liters.

Others are Automotive Gas Oil (AGO or Diesel): 1.5 million liters, Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO): 2.1 million liters and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): Additional volumes.

He added that it is worth noting that the refinery incorporates crack C5, a blending component from the NNPCL’s sister company, Indorama Petrochemicals (formerly Eleme Petrochemicals) to produce gasoline that meets required specifications. 

According to him, blending is a standard practice in refineries globally as no single unit can produce gasoline that fully complies with any country’s standards without such processes.

Additionally, Soneye said the NNPCL has made substantial progress on the new Port Harcourt refinery which will begin operations soon without prior announcements.

“We urge Nigerians to focus on the remarkable achievements being realized under the able and progressive leadership of President Bola Tinubu and to support efforts aimed at delivering more dividends to the nation,” he said. 

“Malicious attacks on clear progress only undermine the significant strides made by NNPC Ltd. and the country.

“Let us move forward together in building a stronger and more self-sufficient energy sector.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially detained Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State.

This development follows his appearance at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, confirmed the arrest during a briefing with journalists.

According to Oyewale, Bello was detained by the Commission’s chief security officer upon his arrival at the EFCC office. “It is true that we have him in our custody.

The operatives of the Commission arrested him,” Oyewale stated.Bello’s visit to the EFCC office was reportedly in response to allegations of financial impropriety leveled against him, specifically involving the misappropriation of funds.

He arrived at the Commission’s headquarters in the company of his legal team. However, conspicuously absent from his entourage was his successor and current governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, who had accompanied Bello during a prior visit to the EFCC office a few weeks ago.

The former governor has been under investigation by the EFCC for some time. On April 18, 2024, the anti-graft agency declared Bello wanted in connection with an alleged N80.2 billion money laundering case.

The EFCC accused him of financial misconduct during his tenure as governor, a charge that has drawn significant public attention.

Bello’s arrest marks a critical moment in the ongoing investigation, as he had previously avoided detention despite repeated calls for him to answer for the allegations.

Tuesday’s detention suggests a more decisive step by the EFCC to hold the former governor accountable for the accusations against him.

The absence of Governor Usman Ododo in this latest development has also raised eyebrows. Ododo, who succeeded Bello as governor of Kogi State, had previously been seen accompanying the former governor during visits to the EFCC.

This time, however, Bello faced the anti-corruption agency alone, flanked only by his lawyers.

The EFCC’s investigation into Bello centers on allegations of large-scale financial mismanagement and corruption, with the N80.2 billion case being one of the most high-profile charges.

The Commission’s decision to arrest Bello highlights its commitment to addressing corruption in the country.

As of now, the EFCC has not disclosed further details about the progress of the investigation or the next steps in the legal process.

However, Bello’s detention is expected to spark further scrutiny and debate about governance and accountability in Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu are set to visit France on the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga disclosed this in a statement he shared on his official X account on Tuesday.

“President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Wednesday to begin a state visit to France in honour of an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron,” Onanuga wrote.

He said the Nigerian leader’s three-day visit will focus on strengthening political, economic, cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership.

Onanuga said the partnership will particularly be in the areas of agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement, employment, innovation and energy transition, saying that they promise significant benefits for Nigeria.

“President Tinubu and his wife, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, will be received on Thursday at the 350-year-old French military museum, Les Invalides and Palais de l’Élysée, by Macron and his spouse, Brigitte, for initial ceremonies that will dovetail into bilateral meetings,” Onanuga said.

“During the visit, President Tinubu and President Macron will harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.  

“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication. 

They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.   

“Brigitte and Nigeria’s First Lady will discuss the latter’s passion for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope Initiative.”

According to Onanuga, the president and his wife will be hosted at a state dinner by the French leader before their departure. 

The presidential aide added that some top government officials will accompany Tinubu on the trip. 

The President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, Retired Colonel Samuel Ahmedu, is elated with the honour and recognition accorded him by the Africa Military Games (AMGA), and the Local Organizing Committee of the Games in Abuja.

Retired Colonel Samuel Ahmedu who is also a member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), was invited as one of the Special Guest at the Games and he was asked to do medal presentation at the event over the weekend.Ahmedu, a seasoned sports administrator, said,

“It was indeed a great honour and privilege for me as a retired military personnel and product of the legendary Nigerian Armed Forces sporting system to be part of this prestigious event.

”The retired Nigeria Army Officer, had some pleasant and thoughtful words for the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (OFR), and members of the Organizing Committee, who deemed him worthy of such an honour.

“Thank you so very much for putting up a massive Games like this and also for honouring me alongside another board member of the NBBF, Professor Florence Adeyanju, and thank you for a lovely organization of the Games,” the FIBA Africa Executive Member stated.

“On Saturday 23rd November, 2024, I had the privilege of uhpresenting Gold Medals to the Cameroonian Armed Forces Women’s Team that won the Female Basketball event at the on going Africa Armed Forces Games, in Abuja, Nigeria, along with Professor Florence Adeyanju, a colleague on the NBBF Board.

”48 countries are participating in 19 sports at the Africa Military Games in Abuja which ends this weekend.

President Bola Tinubu has recalled the moments shared with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as founding members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying they were united in the mission to build a better future for Nigerians.

While acknowledging their engagement as political opponents in the 2023 presidential election, he said Atiku, who was the PDP presidential candidate in the election, has been an active player in Nigeria’s democratic process since the return to civilian rule in 1999.

Tinubu also recognised Atiku’s commitment to public service and philanthropy and prayed that Almighty Allah would continue to grant him health and happiness in the years ahead.

This was contained in his congratulations message to Atiku on his 78th birthday, signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says prices of beans, eggs, bread, rice, and other food items witnessed significant price increases in October 2024.

The NBS said this in its Selected Food Prices Watch report for October 2024 released in Abuja on Tuesday.

The report said that the average price of 1kg of brown beans increased by 254.23  per cent from N790.01 recorded in October 2023 to N2,798.50  in October 2024.

“On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of brown beans increased by 2.19  per cent in October  from the N2,738.59 recorded in September 2024.”

It said that the average price of medium-sized Agric eggs (12 pieces) increased by 140.21 per cent on a year-on-year basis from  N1,112.22 in October 2023 to N2,671.60 in October 2024.

“On a month-on-month basis, the eggs  increased by 7.42 per cent from the N2, 487.04 recorded  in September 2024.”

The report said that the average price of sliced bread increased by 103.76  per cent on a year-on-year basis from N760.82 in October 2023 to N1,550.24 in October  2024.

“On a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 1.44 per cent from the N1,528.19  recorded in September  2024.”

In addition, the average price of 1kg of local rice rose by 137.32  per cent on a year-on-year basis from N819.42 recorded  in October 2023 to N1,944.64 in October 2024.

“On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 1.56 per cent from N1,194.77 recorded in September  2024.”

Also, the report said that the average price of 1kg of boneless beef increased by 98.73   per cent on a year-on-year basis from N2,948.03 in October 2023 to N5,858.58 in October  2024.

“ On a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 3.99 per cent from the N5,633.60 recorded  in September 2024.”

On state profile analysis, the report showed that in oc  2024, the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans was recorded in Bauchi at N3,750.00,  while the lowest was recorded in Yobe at N1,749.52.

It said that Niger recorded the highest average price of medium size Agric eggs (12 pieces) at N3, 450.00, while the lowest was in Adamawa at N2,050.00.

The NBS said that the highest average price of sliced bread was recorded in Rivers at N1,867.14, while the lowest price was recorded in Yobe at N960.07.

According to the report, Kogi recorded the highest average price of 1kg local rice (sold loose) at N2,693.41, while the lowest was reported in Benue at N1,267. 25.

Analysis by zone showed that the average price of 1kg of brown beans was highest in the South-South at N3,274.39, followed by the North-Central at N2,990.02.

“The lowest price was recorded in the North-East at N2,294.29.”

The North-Central and South-East recorded the highest average price of medium size agric eggs(12 pieces) at N2,915.58 and N2,879.24, respectively, while the lowest price was in the South-West at N2,472.94.

The report said that the South-South recorded the highest average price of sliced bread at N1,829.25, followed by the South-East at N1,665.56, while the North-East recorded the lowest price at N1,360.85.

The NBS said also that the South-East and the South-West recorded the highest average price of 1kg of local rice(sold loose)  at  N2,146.08 and N2,011.05, respectively.

“The North-West recorded the lowest price of 1kg of local rice (sold loose) at N1,763.62.”

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that in July, the federal government in a bid to address the incessant increase in food prices and ensure food security granted a 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities.

The suspended duty tariffs and taxes will be on the importation of certain food items across the land and sea borders which include maize, cowpeas, wheat, and husked brown rice.

However, experts have suggested more sustainable measures such as addressing the issue of insecurity, foreign exchange and transportation costs to address the soaring food prices and ensure  food security.