IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has reviewed its ex-depot (gantry) loading cost of petrol to ₦867 per litre. It was gathered that the $20bn refinery informed its marketers and customers of the slash on Thursday.

An official at the refinery confirmed the price reduction from ₦880 to ₦867 per litre. Checks into petroleumprice.ng also confirmed that the private refinery reduced its gantry price by ₦13 on Thursday morning.

Filling stations like MRS Oil & Gas, Ardova Plc, Heyden, and others with special agreements with the Dangote Refinery are expected to reduce their pump price to around ₦910 from around ₦925 to reflect the marginal reduction in the ex-depot price of the premium commodity.

The price reduction by the private refinery followed a meeting between representatives of the Dangote Refinery and the Minister of Finance Wale Edun on Tuesday. At the end of the meeting, the government said that the naira-for-crude was still in effect and that the initiative was not a temporary measure but a “key policy directive designed to support sustainable local refining”.

The government also said the initiative is still in effect and will continue immediately, overruling the decision of the NNPCL under its former boss Mele Kyari which tenured the initiative. 

President Bola Tinubu and Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, were absent on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja during the hearing of a suit challenging the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.) as Sole Administrator of Rivers State.

Their absence led Justice James Omotosho to adjourn the case to June 11, with an order for fresh hearing notices to be served on all defendants.

The suit, filed by Abuja lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, seeks to void Ibas’ appointment, arguing that it is unconstitutional for the President to suspend elected governors or appoint sole administrators. Tinubu, the AGF, and all 36 state Attorneys-General are listed as defendants.

Jideobi contends that the Constitution only permits the removal of a governor under specific sections and not through presidential directive, warning that unchecked executive interference could erode democratic governance. 

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has identified 1,249 communities across 176 LGAs in 33 states and the FCT, including Lagos, Rivers, and Abuja, as high flood-risk zones in its 2025 Annual Flood Outlook.

The report, presented in Abuja by Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev, also flagged 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs for moderate flood risk. Flood-prone cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, and Ibadan are expected to experience urban and flash floods due to poor drainage systems.

Flood threats in coastal states, including Bayelsa, Cross River, and Delta, are expected to worsen due to rising sea levels. The Federal Government plans to roll out a National Flood Insurance Programme and Integrated Climate Resilience Project, with pilots in Kogi and Jigawa states.

NIHSA Director-General Umar Mohammed emphasized the need for proactive measures, saying the 2025 forecast targets specific communities to help protect lives and infrastructure. 

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has urged nursing students to remain in the state after graduation, citing the government’s heavy investment in healthcare and education.

Speaking at the maiden matriculation of the upgraded College of Nursing, where 240 students were admitted, Mbah—represented by SSG Prof. Chidiebere Onyia—warned against the “japa syndrome,” stressing the need to retain talent.

The college, now a Higher National Diploma-awarding institution, offers students multiple certifications including RN, RM, OND, and HND. Officials praised the state’s healthcare reforms, including infrastructure upgrades, increased admissions, and 260 new primary health centres. 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has closed its national secretariat in Abuja, known as “Buhari House,” following the death of its Director of Administration, Hon. AbdulRauf Adekunle Adeniji.

Adeniji, who was abducted weeks ago, was reportedly killed last month, though the kidnappers continued ransom negotiations while concealing his death.

In an internal memo titled “Secretariat Closure for the Mourning of the Director of Administration”, the party directed staff to observe the period for reflection and prayers for the late official and his family.

The secretariat will remain closed to all activities until Monday, April 14, 2025. 

A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a N50 billion rights violation suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Federal Government.

Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the case on Thursday for lack of diligent prosecution after neither Kanu nor the government was represented in court. The judge noted repeated adjournments due to absence of Kanu’s legal team.

Kanu had sought compensation over his alleged abduction from Kenya and forced return to Nigeria, arguing it violated international and local extradition laws. He also asked for his release from DSS custody and a halt to further prosecution.

The Federal Government opposed the suit, citing a similar case already filed in Umuahia, calling it an abuse of court process.