Eid-el-Kabir: FRSC deploys 1889 personnel in Kano

The Kano State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps has deployed no fewer than 1,889 personnel for a week-long special patrol operation ahead of the 2026 Eid El-Kabir celebrations.

The Sector command’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Labaran, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday.

“The deployment of over 1,889 personnel comprising Regular and Special Marshals across the state will ensure safer roads, smooth traffic flow, and prompt emergency response services,” the statement said.

According to the statement , the special patrol operations, which commenced on 25th May and run through 31st May 2026, form part of the Corps’ strategic operational activities usually carried out during festive periods characterised by increased vehicular movement and heavy traffic on major highways

The Sector Commander, Idris Lawal, stated that the operation is aimed at reducing road traffic crashes, fatalities, traffic congestion, and other highway emergencies during the Sallah celebrations.

Lawal noted that the Command has adequately mobilized personnel and operational logistics to ensure effective monitoring and enforcement on critical routes and identified flashpoints across the state.

According to him, the command has deployed 24 patrol vehicles, 4 ambulances, 1 heavy-duty tow truck, 2 operational motorcycles, radar guns, breathalysers, and other traffic management facilities to strategic locations for rapid response and operational efficiency.

The sector commander further disclosed that all Unit Commanders and the 44 Local Government Station Officers have been directed to sustain aggressive visibility patrols and maintain full operational coverage throughout the exercise.

He explained that the special patrol would focus on critical traffic offences including excessive speed, dangerous driving, wrongful overtaking, overloading, lane indiscipline, use of mobile phones while driving, operation of mechanically deficient vehicles, expired and worn-out tyres, passenger manifest violations, and other offences known to contribute to fatal crashes.

To strengthen enforcement and ensure compliance with traffic regulations, mobile courts will remain fully operational across the state for speedy prosecution of traffic offenders, while emergency rescue teams have been placed on maximum alert to respond promptly to distress situations

The operations will run on shift basis to guarantee 24-hour patrol and rescue coverage along major highways and critical corridors within the state, with special night rescue teams strategically positioned for emergency interventions.

The Command therefore called on motorists and other road users to exercise patience, discipline, and strict adherence to traffic regulations by avoiding excessive speed, dangerous overtaking, and all forms of unsafe road behaviours capable of endangering lives and property.

“Members of the public are equally encouraged to cooperate with personnel deployed on the highways and make use of the FRSC toll-free emergency number 122 to report crashes, obstructions, or any traffic-related emergencies for immediate assistance,” the statement added.

While reassuring the motoring public of the Corps’ commitment towards safer roads during and after the festive period, the Sector Commander wished all Muslim faithful and residents of Kano state a peaceful, safe, and crash-free Eid El-Kabir celebration.

Id el Kabir, also known as Eid al-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the most significant celebrations in Islam.

The festival commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command before Allah provided a ram as a substitute.

Marketers fear scarcity as cooking gas hits N1,500/kg

cooking gasThe Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers has raised the alarm over the erratic supply and rising cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, otherwise known as cooking gas, warning that the situation could trigger scarcity and worsen hardship for millions of Nigerians.

The association said cooking gas is now selling for over N1,500 per kilogramme, while marketers currently pay between N25.2m and N26.2m for 20 metric tonnes of the product, depending on location. The product is sold at between N1,600 and N2,000 by many other dealers.

Checks by our correspondent on Sunday confirmed that the essential commodity jumped from less than N1,000/kg recently to around N1,500 or more, depending on the location.

In a statement jointly signed by the National President of NALPGAM, Edu Inyang, and the Executive Secretary, Mr Bassey Essien, the association described the development as “sad and rather very pathetic”.

“The citizens of Nigeria have woken up to buy cooking gas, which should be a social item, at a prohibitive cost of over N1,500 per kg, while the marketers are made to pay as much as N25,200,000 or, depending on the location, N26,200,000 for 20 metric tonnes of cooking gas.

“We feel that if the situation is not immediately checked, the citizens may rise against the owners of gas filling stations,” the marketers expressed fears.

They said the development had brought untold hardship to millions of Nigerian households, small businesses, food vendors, and low-income families who rely on LPG for daily cooking and livelihood.

According to the association, the situation is “seriously eroding the substantial progress made by the government” on the usage of clean energy in the country. The group maintained that its members across the country were facing difficulties sourcing LPG due to “persistent supply shortages, high depot prices, logistics bottlenecks and uncontrollable rising operational costs”.

“We observe that where product is available, it is sold at rates far beyond the reach of average Nigerians,” the association stated.

NALPGAM warned that the crisis was undermining years of progress achieved through Federal Government policies and investments aimed at deepening LPG penetration and promoting clean cooking energy.

“While millions of Nigerians have embraced cooking gas as a result of the national clean energy transition agenda, it is sad to state that those gains are at risk as households are struggling to refill cylinders, small businesses are folding under rising energy costs, while many families are reverting to firewood and charcoal despite the serious implications for public health, environmental degradation, and deforestation,” it said.

The association further warned that failure to urgently address the crisis could lead to “accelerated food inflation, the collapse of small-scale LPG retail businesses, job losses, reduced investor confidence, and a significant setback to Nigeria’s clean energy and climate commitments”.

NALPGAM called on the Federal Government, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, domestic producers, terminal operators, international suppliers, and other stakeholders to take urgent and coordinated steps to stabilise the market before it degenerates further.

The association recommended immediate measures to improve the availability and accessibility of LPG nationwide. It also called for increased domestic LPG allocation to the Nigerian market, transparent distribution of available supply, reduction of bottlenecks in importation and distribution, and interventions to stabilise retail prices.

It requested investment in storage and distribution infrastructure as well as policies that support affordability and sustainability in the sector. “We cannot stand by and watch millions of Nigerian families suffer in silence while access to clean cooking energy becomes increasingly difficult and unaffordable.

“For years, the government and industry operators have worked to move Nigerians away from unsafe fuels. Those gains are now under serious threat. “Households cannot refill cylinders, small businesses are struggling to survive, and vulnerable households are returning to firewood and charcoal with dire health and environmental consequences.

“We therefore make a passionate and patriotic appeal to the Federal Government for urgent intervention to stabilise supply and pricing. NALPGAM is ready to collaborate to have lasting solutions, but decisive action is needed now,” the statement said.

Airlines risk disruptions as NCAA enforces debt sanctions

NCAAThe Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has placed 11 domestic airlines on its updated “No-Pay-No-Service” list over unpaid statutory charges.

The enforcement action, which targets airlines owing the regulator outstanding remittances, is expected to affect access to critical regulatory and administrative services until the affected carriers clear their debts or agree on payment plans with the authority.

This was contained in an internal memo obtained by our correspondent on Sunday. At the centre of the dispute are the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and Cargo Sales Charge, funds collected by airlines on behalf of the NCAA to support safety oversight, personnel training, and economic regulation within the aviation sector.

The memo, dated May 22, 2026, obtained by our correspondent, directed all NCAA directorates to withhold services from the affected operators pending financial clearance from the Directorate of Finance and Account

The memo, signed by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Olufemi Odukoya, was circulated across the authority’s regional offices and copied to the Director-General of Civil Aviation and other senior officials.

Under the directive, affected airlines risk immediate interruptions in regulatory support, a development that has raised concerns among operators and passengers over possible operational delays and wider industry implications.

Director-General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, said that although the regulator understands the harsh economic realities confronting operators, the agency cannot afford to compromise its financial stability.

According to him, delayed or non-remittance of the statutory charges could weaken the authority’s ability to sustain effective safety oversight, risk-based surveillance, and compliance with international aviation standards.

Airlines affected by the directive include Air Peace Limited, Ibom Air Limited, Arik Air Limited, United Nigeria Airlines, Umza Air, NG Eagle, Max Air Limited, Caverton Helicopters, Overland Airways, Rano Air, and ValueJet.

The document stated, “The DGCA has directed that no directorate should render any service to the above airline without financial clearance from the director of finance and accounts.”

In a WhatsApp chat with our correspondent, the Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, said the current realities facing airlines go beyond poor financial management, insisting that operators are struggling to survive under an unsustainable business environment.

According to him, the sharp rise in aviation fuel prices over a short period disrupted the financial structures of many airlines and forced operators to make difficult decisions about how to manage limited working capital.

He explained that airlines could not increase ticket fares at the same pace as the rise in fuel and maintenance costs, adding that most of their daily earnings are now consumed by operational expenses needed to keep aircraft in the air.

His words, “People, this matter is quite simple. When fuel, which under normal circumstances is 36-40 per cent of your operating costs, triples in price within the space of five weeks and stays there, your business model is turned upside down.

“The costs of purchasing fuel to keep flying suddenly take virtually all the sales you’re making on a daily basis. This forces a change in how you allocate your working capital. Once you cannot pay for fuel and maintenance, you cannot fly, no matter your emotions. And once you cannot fly, you cannot pay anybody anyway. It’s the oxygen mask theory,” Uriesi added.

The Ibom Air boss added that the NCAA’s memo revealed that most domestic airlines are facing similar financial pressures, contrary to public perception that some operators were coping better than others.

He stated that the airlines should not be criticised, stressing that the sector only appears attractive because operators continue to fly despite mounting losses and shrinking profit margins.

Also, the former Rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Samuel Caulcrick, questioned the long-term viability of Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector, saying the crisis extends beyond the controversy surrounding the 5 per cent Ticket Sales Charge.

According to him, even if the charge is removed completely, airlines would still face severe challenges linked to inflation, foreign exchange instability, weak passenger numbers, and multiple regulatory charges.

He noted that only a small percentage of Nigerians travel regularly by air, while inflation and declining purchasing power have further reduced passenger traffic, forcing over 10 airlines to compete for a shrinking market.

Caulcrick also argued that domestic airlines remain vulnerable because they rely heavily on dollar-denominated expenses such as aircraft leasing, maintenance, and spare parts, without stable access to foreign exchange or hedging mechanisms.

NMDPRA enforces 3% host community fund contributions

Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRAThe Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has intensified efforts to enforce the Host Community Development Trust framework under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, ordering operators and licensees in the sector to comply with the mandatory three per cent annual contribution to host community funds, with the introduction of a digital portal aimed at improving transparency and accountability.

The NMDPRA disclosed this recently during a Stakeholder Sensitisation Workshop on the implementation of the HCDT framework and the operationalisation of the HCDT Digital Portal held in Port Harcourt.

The Host Communities Development Trust is a framework mandated by Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act 2021 to ensure direct social, environmental, and economic benefits for petroleum-producing areas. The fund is designed to address the development needs of impacted communities in oil-producing areas.

Speaking on behalf of the Authority Chief Executive, Mr Rabiu Umar, the Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community, Dr Mustapha Lamorde, said the newly introduced portal would facilitate digital registration of trusts, project tracking, compliance reporting, monitoring of statutory contributions, and real-time regulatory oversigh

“With strong national expectations for the HCDT framework to transition from policy to practical implementation, the workshop was organised to provide clarity onthe establishment of Host Community Development Trusts.

“It will also provide guidance on the governance responsibilities of trustees and management committees, obligations of operators and licensees, administration of the trust fund, compliance and reporting requirements, as well as grievance resolution mechanisms established under the regulations,” he said.

Lamorde further urged operators to comply with the mandatory three per cent annual contribution requirement to ensure sustainable development in host communities.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, Dumnamene Dekor, commended the NMDPRA for organising the sensitisation forum.

He noted that midstream operations, including pipelines, depots, terminals, processing facilities, and transportation infrastructure, are critical to Nigeria’s energy security, stressing that host communities must derive practical and lasting benefits from such operations.

Also, the Director, Environmental Sustainability and Host Community, NMDPRA, Mrs Anne Omezi, said the stakeholder engagement on the operationalisation of the HCDT framework would promote transparency, collaboration, and sustainable development while ensuring host communities derive greater benefits from Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

“We are here to build bridges of understanding, foster collaboration, and establish a shared vision for community development. I encourage everyone to actively participate and share ideas that will deliver lasting benefits to host communities within the midstream segment of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” she said.

Meanwhile, Chief Barry Mwara, from one of the host communities in Rivers State, said the sensitisation programme had provided him with valuable information and knowledge that would help in charting a brighter future for his community.

“I will go back with this information so we can further strategise on how to benefit from midstream activities in our communities,” he said. He urged the NMDPRA to strengthen its supervisory role to ensure that the fund is properly managed and utilised for its intended purpose.

FMDQ transactions hit $180.85bn on volume surge

Activities in the Nigerian financial markets recorded a massive boost as the total turnover on the FMDQ Securities Exchange hit $180.85bn, driven by an unprecedented surge in transaction volumes across key market segments. The significant growth reflects a major recovery in market liquidity and rising investor confidence, largely driven by ongoing foreign exchange market calibrations and intensive open market interventions by the monetary authorities.

According to the latest monthly market report from the exchange, trading activities in the foreign exchange and Open Market Operations bills segments remained the primary catalysts for the market’s stellar performance. A breakdown of the performance shows that spot FX transactions and foreign exchange derivatives combined accounted for the largest share of the overall market turnover. This indicates an improved supply of foreign exchange into the system following recent structural reforms. The fixed income segment followed closely, dominated heavily by intense central bank liquidity management operations.

The surge in transactional volume was also heavily supported by the high-interest-rate environment in the primary debt markets. The Debt Management Office and the Central Bank of Nigeria have sustained attractive yields on short-term and long-term sovereign instruments to rein in inflation.

Institutional investors, particularly pension fund administrators and asset managers, aggressively locked funds into Treasury Bills and FGN Bonds, resulting in consistent oversubscriptions at recent auctions.

Meanwhile, activity in the corporate debt segment showed steady progression, with several high-profile commercial papers and corporate bonds listed on the FMDQ platform by players in the financial services, manufacturing, and consumer goods sectors seeking to buffer their working capital.

Reacting to the market data, capital market analysts noted that the current volume trajectory signals a healthier financial market infrastructure capable of supporting broader economic expansion. “The $180.85bn milestone is a clear indicator that market liquidity is rebounding strongly,” said a senior investment strategist in Lagos.

“The transparency brought by the vertically integrated architecture of the FMDQ platform has given both domestic and foreign portfolio investors the clarity they need to commit capital, especially into our fixed-income instruments,” he added.

Kefas calls for unity, inclusive leadership after APC governorship primary victory in Taraba

Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba state, on Friday pledged to uphold fairness, humility, and inclusive leadership following his emergence as winner of the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship primary election in the state.
Kefas made the commitment while delivering his acceptance speech shortly after he was declared winner of the keenly contested primary election.

Shortly after the announcement, members of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee visited the Government House in Jalingo, where they formally presented the election results to the governor.

In his remarks, Kefas described his victory as a collective achievement for all members of the APC across Taraba state, stressing that the outcome reflected the strength and unity of the party.

He expressed gratitude to the leadership of the APC at all levels for their support and confidence in his leadership, while also appreciating the people of the state for their continued trust and cooperation.

The governor also commended other aspirants who participated in the primary election, noting that democracy thrives on participation and provides a platform for diverse voices to be heard.

According to him, the conclusion of the primaries signals the end of political competition within the party, urging stakeholders to embrace unity and work collectively toward the development of Taraba state.

Kefas further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the APC and driving policies aimed at building a more prosperous and inclusive state.

Earlier, the chairperson of the election committee said the exercise reflected the genuine will of party members, adding that the process was conducted with integrity and adherence to due process.

According to results announced by the Returning Officer, Governor Agbu Kefas polled 166,357 votes to emerge winner of the primary election, while details of his closest challenger were yet to be fully disclosed at the time of filing this report.

C’River: ADC conducts voice votes to elect ace broadcaster, Nyong as guber candidate

Members of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Cross River State on Friday conducted a voice vote to affirm the only aspirant, Dr Effiong Nyong, as their 2027 governorship candidate.

The voice vote was conducted at the party’s state secretariat on Diamond Road Calabar where significant number of members converged for the affirmation.

Chairman of electoral committee, Dr MacFarlane Ejah, who is also the Secretary of the party in the state, had conducted the exercise in the presence of chairman of screening committee, Dr Minika Bassey, and other dignitaries as witnesses.

MacFarlane said the exercise complied with the rules and directives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

“What we have just done is in consonance with the latest directives of INEC. And so we formally affirmed and unveiled Dr Effiong Efa Nyong as our flag bearer for the 2027 Governorship election in Cross River State”, he said.

Speaking about his experience, credentials and the imperative for vying for the governorship seat, the veteran broadcaster and one time chairman of the party, said the decision to run for office of governor for the second time is borne out of his passion for his people, state and strong desire to impact governance to avert the retrogression witnessed in the state.

“My decision to vie for the governorship race for the second time is borne out of passion for my people, state, deep desire to avert the steady slide into retrogression.

“I have idea where we’re coming from. Hardly will people believe that civilisation actually started from here, and high standards were set from here for others to follow when the colonial masters held sway. Education, sports, civil service were top-notch.

“They chose Calabar as centre of national administration. Before the British came, the Portuguese had also laid out their standards. And so, our forebears had sustained the standards until recently when today’s politicians allowed such to degenerate.

“The level of poverty and backwardness is shocking. And so, as a true Son, it is imperative that we must come together to lift ourselves out of this trajectory,” he said.

He also spoke about the alarming multiple and high taxations, noting that it had impoverished the people and scared away businesses and potential investors from the state.

Court acquits two former Taraba council chairmen, finance director of fraud charges

The Chief Judge of Taraba state and presiding judge of Court No. 1 in Jalingo, Justice Joel Agya, on Friday, discharged and acquitted three former officials of Sardauna local government council over allegations of misappropriation of project funds.
Delivering judgment in Charge No. TRSJ/19C/2020, Agya held that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations of fraud against the defendants beyond reasonable doubts.

The defendants are Dr. Jedua Ahmed Dawud, former Executive Chairman of the council; Oliver Wubon, former Caretaker Chairman; and Joseph Danladi John, former Director of Finance.

It will be recalled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), acting on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, filed a six-count charge against the defendants in June 2020.

The charges included criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust by public servants, forgery, and use of false documents.

According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2012 within Sardauna local government Council to commit criminal breach of trust involving funds meant for capital projects.

The prosecution alleged that Dr. Jedua Ahmed and Danladi dishonestly misappropriated N27 million allocated for capital projects on or about Oct. 4, 2012.

They were also accused of misappropriating another N35 million meant for capital projects on or about June 1, 2012.

In another count, Wubon and Danladi were alleged to have dishonestly diverted N42 million provided for capital projects sometime in 2012.

The EFCC further accused Wubon and Danladi of forging payment voucher No. 3 in the name of Alhaji Saidu Mohammed on or about Feb. 8, 2012, with intent to commit fraud.

They were also charged with knowingly using the alleged forged payment voucher as genuine.

During proceedings, defence counsel argued that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendants.

The defence also challenged the EFCC’s investigative report, contending that it relied heavily on statements obtained from prosecution witnesses.

Justice Agya, in his judgment, said the prosecution failed to substantiate the allegations of criminal conspiracy and fraud against the defendants.

He held that the conspiracy charge was not sustainable because the alleged offences were said to have been committed separately by the defendants.

The judge first discharged and acquitted the second and third defendants on counts five and six bordering on forgery and use of false documents.

He subsequently discharged and acquitted all three defendants on counts one to four.

Counsel to the defendants, Dr. Ibrahim Effiong, commended the court for what he described as a landmark judgment.
Counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Stephen Okemini, said he had learnt a lot from the judgment and would study it before deciding on further action.

Speaking after the judgment, Wubon expressed happiness over the court’s decision, saying it has “loosened the rope on their neck.”

Kaduna NUT decries exempting college of education candidates from JAMB exams

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kaduna State chapter, has upheld the position of the National Executive Council of the union, urging the Ministry of Education and the Federal Government to retrace their steps on excluding candidates seeking admission into the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme from sitting for the examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in the interest of national development.

The National Executive Council of the union has described as counterproductive the decision of the Federal Ministry of Education to exclude candidates seeking admission into the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme from sitting for the examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Ibrahim Dalhatu and Adamu Ayuba Kaltungo, chairman and secretary of the union, in a joint statement, explained that the position of the union stems from the fact that exempting candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education from writing the JAMB examination would adversely affect the quality of teacher education and consequently impact the standard of education in Nigeria.

The NUT Kaduna State wing re-emphasized that teaching is a “highly intellectual and strategic profession,” and that the process of training teachers must remain vigorous and highly competitive.

According to the statement, “Excluding candidates from taking the examination will imply that the profession is for academically weak candidates and ‘all comers’.”

It observed that the teaching profession is already suffering from low esteem, and that exempting candidates would further reinforce the erroneous belief that teaching is a “last resort” profession, adding that it contradicts global best practices, as countries with high-performing education systems recruit their teachers from among the best and brightest students.

It would further confirm the belief that teaching is an “all-comers” job rather than a profession for those genuinely passionate about teaching, stressing that it would weaken the ongoing efforts and reforms aimed at making teaching a respected profession by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

The union posited that, rather than removing Colleges of Education candidates from JAMB requirements, the Federal Government should make concerted efforts to improve teachers’ welfare packages and remuneration to attract brilliant candidates to the profession.

It added that the Federal Government should consider providing scholarships, bursaries, and special incentives for students studying education courses, while also providing special admission incentives without compromising standards.

The union also called for the full implementation of the bill signed into law by the Muhammadu Buhari administration on April 9, 2022, stating that it would address the issue the Federal Government intends to tackle through exempting candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education from writing the JAMB examination.

Royal nod: Ooni of Ife hails Stanel boss, Stanley Uzochukwu for Harvard, Oxford leadership feats

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR, has congratulated Dr Stanley Uzochukwu, Founder and CEO of Stanel Group and The Delborough Lagos, on completing elite executive leadership programmes at the University of Oxford and Harvard Kennedy School.

In a letter dated May 20, 2026, the monarch praised Dr Uzochukwu’s drive for continuous learning at “two of the world’s most prestigious institutions,” saying it reflects a deep commitment to solving societal problems and improving lives.

Dr Uzochukwu has recently completed multiple Harvard Kennedy School programmes, including High Performance Leadership, Emerging Leaders, Leadership Decision Making, Leading Successful Programs using Evidence, and Strategic Leadership for Personal Effectiveness. He capped it off with the High Performance Leadership programme at the University of Oxford, London.

“I have always known you as a lover of continuous education, a personality who dedicates himself to acquiring solutions to societal problems, thereby making life better for the common people,” the Ooni stated.

The monarch said the training positions Dr Uzochukwu to drive greater impact in leadership, governance, and business development, adding: “As the world cannot wait for the deployment of the newly acquired knowledge, I wish to congratulate you once again and wish you success in your future endeavours.”