Author: Amina Mohammed

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has denied owing international oil traders $6.8bn. The company also refuted claims that it has not remitted funds into the federation account since January. NNPC Chief Corporate Communications Officer Olufemi Soneye responded to various allegations against the state-owned energy firm in a statement on Sunday. It was alleged that the NNPC owed some of its suppliers as the sole importer of petrol in Nigeria, though Soneye acknowledged that such transactions are conducted on credit. “NNPC Ltd does not owe the sum of $6.8 bn to any international trader(s). In the oil trading business, transactions…

Kamala Harris takes her surging US presidential campaign on a battleground bus tour Sunday, before heading to the Democratic National Convention for a star turn that will be shadowed by protests against Israel’s war in Gaza. The vice president, riding a wave of enthusiasm after replacing President Joe Biden at the top of the ticket less than a month ago, will dash to the swing state of Pennsylvania to push her case against Republican rival Donald Trump. Then the 59-year-old will jet to Chicago for a rapturous reception from Democrats, who have dared to hope again after an astonishing turnaround…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas to disclose the “exact amount of monthly running costs” allotted to members of the National Assembly. SERAP requested the spending details of any of such running costs as well. This information was made known in a statement dated August 17, 2024, signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director of SERAP, and made available to Channels Television on August 18. The group’s demand is coming on the heels of the recent controversy surrounding the salary of Senators. A former…

Ten-man gang on Friday morning abducted 20 travelers along the Osi/Obbo Ayegunle road in Ekiti Local Government Area, Kwara State. The group intercepted drivers of three vehicles, including a Toyota Hiace, heading towards Ekiti State. The gunmen forced the passengers into the forest, demanding ransom. Local vigilante teams and police officers from the anti-kidnapping unit carried out a successful rescue operation late Friday evening. The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the rescue, noting that the victims’ bags and personal belongings were left scattered on the road. The Kwara State Police Spokesperson, Ejire Adeyemi Adetoun, provided details in a statement: “The…

With the controversial seizure of three presidential jets on routine maintenance in Paris still raising dust, former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has cautioned the Federal Government not to negotiate with Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited. In a statement on Saturday, the Ogun governor between May 2011 and May 2019, labelled the Chinese firm as an “impostor” and warned the Federal Government not to be scammed. A French court recently ruled in favour of the firm and granted the seizure of presidential jets belonging to the Nigerian government. In the dispute involving an arbitration award, the court in Paris…

A section of the popular Kaura Modern Market, located opposite the Prince and Princess market in the Kaura District of Abuja, was on Friday night gutted by fire. The fire, which reportedly started at about 11 pm on Friday, razed about 40 shops, with items such as foodstuff, appliances and household items, lost in the inferno. Confirming the incident, the Acting Director of the FCT Fire Service, Amiola Adebayo, in a report shared with our correspondent on Saturday, stated that the fire was caused by an electrical spark on a power change-over installed in one of the shops, further aggravated…

The House of Representatives has expressed deep concern over the abduction of 20 medical students in Benue State, Nigeria, urging swift intervention from security agencies. According to reports, the abducted students, comprising 12 from the University of Jos and eight from the University of Maiduguri, were kidnapped on Thursday, 15 August 2024, while travelling to a conference organised by the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students in Enugu. This incident has caused significant alarm and distress across the country. The Nigerian Medical Association has voiced its deep concern for the safety and well-being of these future medical professionals. The…

Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz both scored, and in turn assisted each other, as Arsenal began the 2024-25 Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates. Havertz opened the scoring from Saka’s assist in the first half before the Germany international turned provider in the second as Saka sealed the win late on in the game. It was not a vintage performance, but goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka ensured a comfortable start to Arsenal’s title-challenging campaign as they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 at the Emirates in the opening game of the season. Against…

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the rescue of the 20 medical students who were abducted in Otukpo, Benue State. A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi on Saturday in Abuja, said the IGP condemned the kidnapping of students. The medical students were abducted in Otukpo, Benue State en route to the annual convention of the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students in Enugu. Egbetokun described their abduction as “truly appalling, callous, and unacceptable”. He said, “In a display of unwavering commitment to the rescue, safety, and well-being of the young Nigerians,…

A former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the government to declare war against insecurity following incessant reports of kidnapping sweeping across the country. In a statement on X.com on Saturday, Obi wrote, “When I say we should declare war on the economy, power, and insecurity, some people spin the narrative, while others complain. But what else can we do? “In the last 24 hours, several people have been kidnapped across Nigeria, including about 20 dental students from Maiduguri and Jos in Benue State. “An Anambra State Commissioner and his wife were abducted in Edo State, and…