National News
ActionAid Nigeria Says Relentless Fuel Price Hikes Have become A Ticking Time Bomb for Poor and Vulnerable Nigerians
ActionAid Nigeria Says Relentless Fuel Price Hikes Have become A Ticking Time Bomb for Poor and Vulnerable Nigerians
By: Michael Mike
ActionAid Nigeria has cried that the persistent increases in fuel prices have brought Nigerians to their knees, and worsening the already dire situations of poverty and hunger in the country, raising the alarm that as Nigerians continue to eke a living with the present situation of things in the country there may be increase in kidnapping, armed robberies, and other violent crimes,
Speaking in Abuja, ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu lamented that the latest series of increases has made life unbearable for struggling families, small business owners, and vulnerable communities who are barely managing to make a living.
He said: “We foresee that this economic hardship and hopelessness may likely create a fertile ground for crimes to thrive, with kidnapping, armed robberies, and other violent crimes, especially during the festive season. Transportation costs have also more than doubled, and food has become a luxury that many cannot afford. As it stands, Nigeria’s healthcare system is also affected, with recent reports indicating that at least 50% of private hospitals have been forced to shut down, while those that remain are barely surviving due to high operating costs. This has devastating consequences for Nigerians, leaving many without access to proper healthcare services. The government’s inadequacies in providing pro-poor policies have created an economic and social crisis that threatens all spheres of our society.’’
Mamedu also lamented that despite a recent drop in global crude oil prices, fuel prices in Nigeria continue to soar due to the naira’s persistent decline against the US dollar.
He also reiterated that within less than a year, the price of crude oil has reduced from $80.36 in August 2024 for a barrel to $74.05 in October 2024. However, Nigerian consumers are not benefiting from this decline due to the country’s volatile currency exchange rates
ActionAid Nigeria questions the Federal Government’s decision to refrain from purchasing petrol from Dangote Refinery, noting that: “In a free-market economy, consumers naturally gravitate toward the most affordable option. So, is Dangote Refinery’s fuel truly not cheaper? If so, why? Or are there underlying policies or regulatory factors in Nigeria that inflate the cost of this petrol, making imports more favourable?”
Mamedu further decried that Nigeria’s ranking in the 2024 Ibrahim Index of African Governance has dropped to 33rd out of 54 African countries, highlighting the corrosive impact of corruption and poor governance on the country’s development, “with alarming scores in inclusion (47%), equality (43%), and infrastructure (41%), the report underscores the urgent need for institutional reforms. The entrenched corruption and weak institutions perpetuate poverty, affecting 62.8% of Nigerians, while hindering economic growth and undermining national progress.”
He noted that: “To break this cycle, Nigeria must prioritise transparency, invest in critical infrastructure, and implement social protection policies to address disparities in healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, ultimately unlocking its potential for inclusive growth and development.”
The Country Director said: “The nation is witnessing unprecedented levels of poverty, inequality, and hardship. The slow and inadequate response of the Nigerian Labour Union and civil society is also concerning. The situation in Nigeria right now is multidimensional, and to address the worsening economic situation, ActionAid Nigeria demands that the federal government makes fuel prices affordable for Nigerians, improves transparency and accountability in the oil sector, and better manages the exchange rate to stabilize fuel costs. We cannot afford to continually endure the Federal Government’s lack of pro-poor actions. The government must take concrete steps to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians and ensure that the country’s resources benefit its citizens.”
ActionAid Nigeria is a national non-governmental, non-partisan, non-religious, civil society organisation, and an affiliate member of the ActionAid International Federation with presence in 45 countries. It works in solidarity with people living in poverty and exclusion to achieve social justice, gender equality and poverty eradication towards achieving a just, equitable and sustainable world in which every person enjoys the right to a life of dignity, freedom from poverty and all forms of oppression.
ActionAid Nigeria Says Relentless Fuel Price Hikes Have become A Ticking Time Bomb for Poor and Vulnerable Nigerians
National News
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
By: Bodunrin Kayode
President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.
The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.
From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.
A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.
“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.
“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.
“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.
Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.
These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001
This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.
And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.
The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
National News
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.
This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.
The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).
The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).
Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.
Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.
He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.
“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.
“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.
Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.
He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
National News
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
By: Michael Mike
The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.
The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.
The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.
His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.
In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.
He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.
The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
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