Author: Festus Adeloye

National oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, said it has uncovered and confiscated products from 63 illegal refineries in the past week. A documentary by the company on Wednesday, said in the past week, 19 illegal pipeline connections and 63 illegal refineries were uncovered in the Niger Delta. The company announced the development amidst fresh concerns over the delay in the commencement of operations by the Port Harcourt Refinery as earlier announced. The Port Harcourt Refining Company, a refinery under the management of the company in Rivers State, had again failed to commence operations after about six postponements.…

M&M’s and Snickers maker Mars said Wednesday that it would acquire snack food business Kellanova, marking a multibillion dollar agreement set to result in a new industry giant. The all-cash transaction would value Kellanova — which is behind snacks such as Pringles and Pop-Tarts — at $35.9 billion, including debt. “In welcoming Kellanova’s portfolio of growing global brands, we have a substantial opportunity for Mars to further develop a sustainable snacking business that is fit for the future,” said Mars chief executive Poul Weihrauch in a statement. The announcement comes as consumers feel the squeeze from rising costs of living,…

The man featured in a viral video, in which his wife reportedly tore up his passport upon their return to Nigeria, has clarified that the entire incident was staged as a skit. In a recent video shared on the family’s Instagram page, the man could be seen in the company of his children begging Nigerians to forgive him and understand. According to him, what his wife tore was not a passport, adding that as a Nigerian, he cannot go against the laws of the country. He said, “What my wife tore is not passport, she never tore my passport, she…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Wednesday, announced President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the implementation of a Zero Percent Duty Rate (0%) and Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption on selected basic food items.  Customs spokesman Abdullahi Maiwada said in a statement said the presidential approval was communicated through the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun. This policy is effective from 15th July 2024 and will remain in force until 31st December 2024, Maiwada added. He said the move would alleviate hardship faced by Nigerians due to high prices of essential food items. “However, it…

The Minister Of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, on Wednesday, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria requires 200 million rounds of ammunition annually for its operations. This, he said, cost the government at least $2 per ammunition. Matawalle also blamed past governments for the nation’s failure to achieve self-sufficiency in defence production. The minister disclosed this during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Defense, Defence Industries Corporations of Nigeria, and the National Agency for Science and Engineering on the establishment of an ammunition production factory in Nigeria. He assured the president that before the end…

The European Union has announced it will donate 215,000 doses of vaccines to Africa in a significant move to combat the ongoing Mpox outbreak on the continent. According to a statement on Wednesday, EU said the donation includes 175,420 doses of the Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic Mpox vaccine, with an additional 40,000 doses contributed directly by the pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic. The MVA-BN vaccine, a non-replicating smallpox vaccine, is the only Mpox vaccine approved in the EU and is authorised for use in individuals aged 18 and older. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention will oversee the distribution…

Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga will miss the start of the season after the Spanish club confirmed Wednesday he suffered a knee ligament sprain. Spanish reports suggest the France international will be sidelined for up to seven weeks, potentially missing Madrid’s first matches in the Champions League in September and October. “After tests conducted today our player Eduardo Camavinga has been diagnosed with a ligament sprain in his left knee,” said Madrid in a statement. Camavinga suffered the injury on Tuesday during a training session when he slipped and collided with team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni. Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos retired from…

Following the nationwide protest that turned violent in Kano State, the state government has confirmed that thugs stormed and severely damaged the premises of the Kano State High Court, carting away crucial documents related to corruption charges against the former governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, confirmed this to journalists when he paid a visit to the court for an on-the-spot assessment of the damages. He was accompanied by the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Isah Dederi, the Chief Registrar of the High Court, Abdullahi Ado Bayero, and other high-ranking judiciary…

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, has called on security agencies to remain vigilant and ensure the smooth conduct of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections. Yakubu made this call at a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in Abuja, on Wednesday. The Edo and Ondo governorship polls are slated for September 21, 2024, and November 16, 2024, respectively. The INEC boss emphasised the need to protect election materials, personnel, and polling activities while reminding security forces to adhere to the rules of engagement for electoral duties. Yakubu expressed gratitude to security agencies for their…

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if their abducted colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, is not released by August 26. The President of NARD, Dr Dele Abdullahi, made this declaration at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, stating that the association has lost patience with the government’s inaction over the abduction. Dr Ganiyat, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew. While her husband was released in March, Dr Ganiyat and her nephew remain in…