NIGERIANS IN URBAN AREAS NOW USE CHARCOAL, FIREWOOD FOR COOKING
NIGERIANS IN URBAN AREAS NOW USE CHARCOAL, FIREWOOD FOR COOKING Nigerians in urban areas may have returned to the most affordable cooking fuels – charcoal and firewood, due to the increase in the price of cooking gas. Charcoal and firewood were used by mostly the locals and people living in semi-urban areas before the advent of cooking gas. However, when cooking gas came into the picture, these other primitive fuels were relegated to the background because the difference between them, particularly on ease of use, was like day and night. Now, it appears ease of use is no longer considered when people can no longer afford the cooking gas.And so, a return to the cheaper option takes pre-eminence. A random check, shows that, a portion of charcoal sells for between N500 and N1,000. Also, the price of firewood goes for N700 per bundle of four sticks. This is against a 3kg of gas which costs around N4000 Economy&Lifestyle also discovered that in a bid to further cut cost, some Nigerians in urban areas now source firewood from bushes and farms . This method of firewood sourcing is mostly found in rural areas.An encounter with Mr Yekini Abdullahi, a vulcaniser, revealed that the firewood is placed in coal pots, instead of charcoal, when cooking. “My wife and I spend so much on cooking gas and in this economic condition, such spending is not sustainable. “Although charcoal is cheaper, the difference in price is not that much, so we decided to source for firewood from building sites or in some bush parts around our neighbourhood “So far, the experience hasn’t been any bad and we are enjoying cooking with firewood, which in any case, we didn’t spend much on. “We place the firewood in a coal pot, make fire, and the deed is done.” Mrs. Victoria Shodimu, a hairdresser said: “I live in a new site where there are nearby bushes. “This Lagos lifestyle has really entered our head that we have forgotten how we were surviving in the village. “Before now, I used to buy cooking gas, but now, it is no go area f. A kilogramme is now sold for N1,500, worse than kerosene which you can get for N1,250 per litre. “Charcoal is also expensive but not as much as gas. “Putting on my village brain, I decided to source for firewood in the bushes from tiny trees. “I place them in the coal pot instead of the ground which you know is made from cement. “My husband complained at first. But when he saw that it reduced the cost for us, he accepted. “This is what many of my friends in this city do now, especially when they are cooking food like beans, bean cake and in large quantities.” Mrs. Oluchi Udechukwu said she gets her firewood from sites where buildings are under construction. “This has saved me alot from spending my money on cooking gas or kerosene. “Now I cook with firewood. I visit sites of buildings under construction to pick those discarded woods.“I store them in a dry place and place them in coal pots to avoid messing up the cement floor with charcoal. “I prepare anything with wood. Whenever I can’t get wood from sites, I enter nearby bushes to source for firewood. “I put them in sack bags to avoid people raising eyebrows and asking questions.“You have to kill shame to survive in this era.” The recent National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, Nigeria Residential Energy Demand-Side Survey Report showed that about 39 percent of households acquire fuel woods by cutting/collection. The report further stated: “More than half of the fuelwood cut/collected by households are branches, stems, and trees. “The results reveal that 55.3 percent of fuelwood cut/collected…
PORT HARCOURT REFINERY ANNOUNCES RESUMPTION OF FULL OPERATION
PORT HARCOURT REFINERY ANNOUNCES RESUMPTION OF FULL OPERATION The Port Harcourt refinery has announced the resumption of full operations after temporarily scaling down. This was made known by the Managing Director of the refinery, Mr Ibrahim Onoja, while addressing journalists after a facility tour of the refinery on Sunday, December 1, 2024, where he revealed that the facility had resumed distribution of products, including Premium Motor Spirit, kerosene, and diesel. This is as the controversy surrounding the resumption of operations of the Port Harcourt refinery rages on with some stakeholders expressing doubts over the announcement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited. Onoja said, ”The refining plant has undergone extensive upgrades to enhance efficiency and reliability which had also impacted production capacity. ”We replaced most of the equipment including pump installation and cables. “The plant is running and we are trucking out our products.’’ Speaking at the occasion, the Director of Operations of the Nigeria Pipeline Storage Company (NPSC) Ltd, Mr Moyi Maidunama, acknowledged a temporary reduction in production. He, however, explained that the reduction was to help address some technical issues aimed at improving the delivery capacity of the facility. He said, ”We are managing the process with the number of trucks available today, using three loading arms for evacuation, this will be resolved soon. ”Our operations were not totally halted but reduced due to some of the improvements that we needed to make in terms of getting more loading arms operational. ”We have been evacuating refined petroleum products from the refinery since yesterday and it’s obviously going to be a continuous process.’’ Also, the terminal manager, Mr. Worlu Joel, confirmed the efficiency of the refinery, adding that it had begun loading Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), kerosene, and diesel. He said that the depot which has 11 functional loading bays currently uses only 3 due to its high efficiency, adding that each of the bay evacuates as much as 3 trucks in 15 minutes. He, however, expressed worries over the slow turnout of tanker drivers. He said, ”We have surplus product. Let’s say we have up to 100 trucks today, we will evacuate them in five hours, It’s no longer our problem, it’s the tanker drivers.’’ What you should knowRecall that on November 26, 2024, the NNPC announced that the Port Harcourt refinery had begun production after a long period of rehabilitation. It stated that the newly rehabilitated complex of the old Port Harcourt refinery, which had been revamped and upgraded with modern equipment, is operating at a refining capacity of 70% of its installed capacity. NNPC added that diesel and Pour Fuel Oil would be the highest output from the refinery, with a daily capacity of 1.5 million litres and 2.1 million litres, respectively.However, a leader of the Alesa community stakeholders, the host community of the refinery, Timothy Mgbere, alleged that the petroleum products loaded from the newly rehabilitated Port-Harcourt Refinery were not freshly refined but products left in the storage tank of the facility in the last 3 years. He also alleged that the refinery only loaded 6 trucks on Tuesday despite stating that 200 trucks would be picked up from the refinery daily. Also, a few days ago, there were reports that the refinery had stopped operations as there was no activity on site, with some workers claiming that the refinery was undergoing calibration which might last till next week. The Port Harcourt Refining Company in its clarification said that its operations were not completely halted but scaled down to facilitate improvements at the facility.
CBN TO RETIRE 1,000 EMPLOYEES
CBN TO RETIRE 1,000EMPLOYEES Barring any last-minute changes, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will soon retire about 1,000 of its employees before the end of the year, investigations by Daily Trust have shown. Reliable sources at the apex bank’s headquarters revealed that the retirement would gulp over N50 billion in payoff to the affected workers. In what it described as a strategic realignment of its workforce, the CBN’s Board of Governors, led by Olayemi Cardoso, had expressed commitment to reducing the workforce. In the last 10 months, the CBN had disengaged many of its staffers, including 17 directors, who served under the immediate past governor, Godwin Emefiele. Those 17 directors are yet to be replaced. A circular released three weeks ago by the CBN, sighted yesterday by our reporter, said the application for Early Exit Package (EPP) was open to all cadres of staff and will close by Saturday, December 7. Exempted are those yet to be confirmed or who have served less than one year “as of the date of publication with the effective date of exit set at 31 December, 2024.” Officials told Daily Trust that the apex bank was targeting retirement of over 1,000 staff members. The officials, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that at least 860 staff from the various departments have already applied for the EPP. The management described the EEP as a voluntary programme offering eligible employees an incentive to exit the CBN early, “while providing employees seeking other career options a great opportunity for early exit.” It cautioned that the staffers could not change their minds after applying, saying that all completed and submitted applications are final. The EEP stated that financial incentives for senior supervisors to deputy managers shall be for the remaining period in service, up to a maximum of 60 months of current grade’s gross annual emoluments. It also noted that financial incentives for managers shall be for the remaining period in service, up to a maximum of 36 months of current grade’s gross annual emoluments. “Financial incentives for all other cadres of staff shall be for the remaining period in service, up to a maximum of 18 months of current grade gross annual emoluments,” it added. The EEP also provides for non-financial incentives, including “financial planning and entrepreneurial capacity building programme, purchase of laptops in line with the Bank’s current policy and extended medical care for an additional three months for self and dependents after the expiration of the three-month current provision of access to medical windows care by exited employees.” ‘They’re offering me N97m for 4-yr service’ A staff member, who spoke to our reporter, said: “The way they dated the offer, you’ll know that the target is actually from senior supervisors to deputy managers. If you look at it, they’re mostly those that came in within the 9 years of Governor Emefiele. “For instance, I’ve worked for 4 years in the bank; the package they’re giving me is between N92 million to N97 million. “Some others have worked up to a manager level and are only entitled to N64.5 million. So, the more time you have to go, the more money they pay you because you know, for them, you don’t have gratuity”, the staff said. Another staff told Daily Trust yesterday that during a webinar held on Friday, the Human Resource Department of the bank expressed the apex bank’s decision to get the number it was targeting for the EEP. “There is serious tension, serious apprehension. You can imagine the atmosphere. It is terrible. “As of Friday, there were 860 people so far that have indicated interest in the EEP,” the staff said. 17 sacked directors yet to be replaced The 17 directors sacked 10 months ago…
Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- December 2, 2024
- 124 views
TRUMP APPOINTS NIGERIA-LEBANESE BUSINESSMAN ADVISOR ON ARAB MIDDLE EASTERN AFFAIRS
TRUMP APPOINTS NIGERIA-LEBANESE BUSINESSMAN ADVISOR ON ARAB, MIDDLE EASTERN AFFAIRS President-elect Donald Trump has announced that Nigerian-Lebanese businessman Massad Boulos will serve as his senior advisor on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. The decision, made public on Trump’s Truth Social platform, highlights Boulos’ influential ties to the Middle East and his extensive business dealings in Nigeria, a key African economy. Boulos, who is married to Tiffany Trump, Trump’s youngest daughter, has spent years fostering relationships across the political and economic landscapes of Nigeria and Lebanon. Known for his ability to navigate complex political environments, Boulos has reportedly met with Arab and Muslim leaders, as well as Lebanese stakeholders, during Trump’s campaign, strengthening support for Trump’s re-election bid. Business and Political Influence in Nigeria Born in Lebanon, Boulos moved to Nigeria as a young man, where his family established a thriving business empire. The Boulos Enterprises Group, a name synonymous with Nigeria’s industrial growth, has contributed significantly to the country’s economic development through manufacturing, importation, and distribution of goods. His long-standing ties to Nigeria’s business community have earned him respect as a bridge between African and Middle Eastern markets. Boulos’ Nigerian connection also helped foster an African narrative in Trump’s re-election campaign, with outreach to Nigerian-American communities in key swing states like Michigan and Pennsylvania. This strategy resonated with conservative voters concerned about U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and African economic partnerships under the Biden administration. Bridging Divides in Lebanon In Lebanon, Boulos is known for maintaining relationships with factions across the country’s deeply divided political spectrum. While he has ties to Hezbollah-linked Christian allies such as Suleiman Frangieh, he also engages with groups like the anti-Hezbollah Lebanese Forces Party. Such rare versatility has made him an influential figure in Lebanese politics. However, his Lebanese political ambitions have been limited by the sectarian structure of the country’s government. As a Greek Orthodox Christian, his path to higher office has been capped at positions like deputy speaker of parliament. Nevertheless, his new advisory role in Trump’s administration could give him the political leverage that eluded him in Lebanon. Impact on Trump’s Campaign Boulos played a critical role in mobilizing Arab and Muslim voters during Trump’s campaign, particularly in Michigan, where Arab-American and Muslim populations are significant. Campaign officials credited Boulos with flipping voter blocs that had previously leaned Democratic by addressing concerns over U.S. policies in Lebanon and Gaza. Boulos also spearheaded efforts to connect with African and Middle Eastern immigrant communities, organizing meetings and private events to build trust in Trump’s vision for international diplomacy. His Nigerian connections helped engage voters of African descent, emphasizing economic growth and anti-war policies. A New Opportunity Boulos’ appointment has sparked optimism among some in Lebanon and Nigeria who see his role as a potential bridge to influence U.S. policies favorably toward their regions. His deep business roots in Nigeria and connections to Lebanon’s political elite position him as a unique player in Trump’s team, blending African, Middle Eastern, and American perspectives. For now, the appointment reflects Trump’s strategy of leaning on family ties and trusted allies as he prepares for a potential return to the White House. Whether Massad Boulos’ Nigerian and Lebanese ties will bring tangible benefits to these regions remains to be seen, but his diverse background offers an intriguing element to Trump’s advisory circle.
2027: ATIKU, OBI’S PARLEY IN YOLA REIGNITES MERGER PERMUTATIONS
2027: ATIKU, OBI’S PARLEY IN YOLA REIGNITES MERGER PERMUTATIONS Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have reignited discussions around the possibility of both uniting for a run at the 2027 presidential election. Their meeting on Saturday in Yola has generated renewed buzz about their plans for the upcoming election, with reports suggesting that a merger between their camps might be in the works. Obi was the keynote speaker at the 20th anniversary of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), which is owned by Atiku. The event also marked the university’s 16th Founder’s Day. Although spokespersons for both politicians denied any political undertones to the invitation, social media was abuzz, especially after Atiku posted a video of the breakfast meeting with Obi at his Yola home Reports indicated that Atiku, the former presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Obi met recently to discuss sensitive plans, including the possible formation of a new political party. Sources revealed that this is part of preparations for the 2027 presidential race, as the crises within their respective political parties show no signs of resolution. Atiku’s caption of the video on his X (formerly Twitter) account, reading “It is breakfast time with my friend, @PeterObi, in the ‘land of beauty,” sent supporters of the duo into a frenzy on social media, with many hoping the meeting would lead to a merger announcement ahead of 2027. “Repeat the 2019 ticket and promise to do one term. Then watch the Nigerian people do their thing,” replied Theo Agada, a user. Atiku and Obi had run together on the joint ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019, but lost to then-President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). They parted ways and ran independently in 2023, both finishing as runners-up to APC’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Quoting Atiku’s tweet, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Labour Party’s Lagos State governorship candidate in the last election, wrote: “We must form a united opposition to end this T-pain remix that we are all featuring in,” referencing the current hardship in the country. However, Doyin Okupe, who served as Obi’s campaign director but recently switched allegiance to President Tinubu, offered a different perspective. “The politically naive, ignorant, or bigoted have always insulted me whenever I state that politics is a game, not religion. No permanent friends, no permanent enemies, only permanent interests! Interesting times ahead. We now move from Consumption to Absorption. End of discussion!” he tweeted. Speaking with Daily Trust yesterday, Atiku’s media aide, Abdulrasheed Shehu, clarified that while there was no discussion about 2027 or a merger during the meeting on Saturday, the idea of a merger or alliance remained a possibility. “There was no conversation around 2027. He only welcomed Obi to Yola and had breakfast with him, after which they went to AUN together where Obi gave a powerful lecture. But you know, Oga (Atiku) is the one who started the call for a coalition of opposition leaders after the 2023 general elections to defeat the APC in the next election. When the time comes, their position will be made known,” he said.
COURT STOPS UNN FOR CONDUCTING CONVOCATION ELECTION
COURT STOPS UNN FROM CONDUCTING CONVOCATION ELECTION A Federal High Court in Enugu State has restrained the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) from conducting its convocation election until the determination of a suit brought by some aspirants alleging a breach of the Standing Orders of Proceedings by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Polycarp Chigbu. In the suit, filed under number FHC/E/CS/217/2024, the plaintiffs claim that Professor Chigbu violated sections 20 and 22 of the Standing Orders of the Convocation by unilaterally changing election procedures without a properly constituted convocation meeting. Sources allege that while the University Registrar was away on official duty, the Acting Vice Chancellor published a new set of procedures on November 21, 2024, disregarding the existing publication from November 7th and the Standing Order of Proceedings. Some perceive this action as favoring the Vice Chancellor’s close associate. The Standing Orders prohibit anyone, including the Vice Chancellor, from amending the proceedings without a duly constituted convocation meeting and a two-thirds majority vote. During the court proceedings on November 28, 2024, the judge adjourned the matter but emphasized that UNN, as a federal institution, should refrain from proceeding with the challenged process, having been duly served. Proceeding would be unacceptable under the law. Plaintiffs are calling on the University’s Pro-Chancellor, General Ike Nwachukwu (Rtd), to ensure due process is followed and prevent a brewing crisis. They argue that consulting stakeholders to change the Standing Orders is a “fraudulent tactic” and question the integrity of the hired company, ARROW FAST LIMITED, which has never undertaken similar projects before. C. D Eze,Esq counsel to the plaintiffs, stated that UNN’s actions regarding the election are subject to the court’s decision. The hearing is set for January 15, 2025. UNN’s Legal Adviser declined to comment on the matter.
GOWON, OJUKWU NEVER RECONCILED – ONOH
OJUKWU, GOWON NEVER RECONCILED – ONOH Dr Josef Onoh, the brother-in-law to the late Biafra leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has refuted claims by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, that the two had reconciled.Onoh clarified that what Gowon referred to as a reconciliation meeting was, in fact, a condolence visit after the passing of his father, Chief C.C. Onoh, who was also Ojukwu’s father-in-law.In a statement, Onoh described Gowon’s narration as inaccurate, insisting that the former Head of State confused a chance meeting in Enugu with reconciliation.Onoh further explained that Gowon’s visit was primarily to pay respects following the passing of Chief C.C. Onoh in May 2009, a funeral Gowon missed because he was out of the country.According to Onoh, the meeting Gowon claims as reconciliation was a courtesy visit during his condolence tour, adding that Ojukwu and Gowon never reconciled as the former Head of State has portrayed.The strained relationship between Gowon and Ojukwu stems from their roles during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). Gowon led the Federal Government, while Ojukwu headed the breakaway state of Biafra.He said, “I was present in the meeting, I served him and he told me he doesn’t take alcoholic drinks and opted for water or orange juice. He brought up the importance of reconciliation and Ojukwu made it clear that he holds no grudge against him and that as soldiers they did what they believed was best at that time for their country and that he (Ojukwu) doesn’t support another Biafra that will be achieved with bloodshed and massacre of the Igbo.“Gowon left and Ojukwu promised to honour him with a visit and he said he was most likely to be out of the country and Ojukwu replied ‘even during the civil War I knew your every movement and location and since I’ve promised to honour you with a visit as you did me, I’ll find you even if you are in the moon.’“We all laughed and escorted him out. Ojukwu said a closing prayer in Latin at the amazement of everyone present including Gowon. We admired the two men that their actions shaped Nigeria. Ojukwu was fluent in Hausa, French, Yoruba, English, Latin and Ibo and in every way his image and oratory dominated the moment, hence I understand the reason why Gen. Yakubu Gowon is attempting to change history by giving a wrong narrative of events.“He, Gowon, have always suffered an extreme high level of inferiority complex around Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and even in death he’s unable to rise above that shackles of inferiority, which was still manifest in his condolence message and Tribute to Ikemba Odumegwu-Ojukwu.”On the London meeting between Ojukwu and Gowon, Onoh disclosed that Gowon exhibited his highest form of insecurity with Ojukwu, particularly when Gowon noticed that Ojukwu’s biographer, Author Fredrick Foresight, was in the vicinity of their meeting in a London hotel.He said, “It was two months after Easter of 2010 that Ikemba said that since we were in London, let’s pay a visit to Gen. Gowon and I recall asking him ‘Ezeigbo, who do we call to get his address or phone number? He smiled and said I have it right here in my pocket!’“I was the one that called using my T-mobile Uk number, Gowon’s wife picked up and I informed her to hold on to speak with Ojukwu. The chat was brief and Ikemba said we should proceed to the hotel. It was two days later, at about 4pm that Gen. Gowon came and I’m amazed at all his narration of how ‘if he was going to be assassinated and other nonsense, like a James Bond fiction movie. Frederick (Foresight) wrote what he witnessed during the war and I don’t expect Gen. Gowon to like…
NIGERIANS LIVING FAKE GOOD LIFE’ PRIOR TO REMOVAL OF OIL SUBSIDY – TINUBU
NIGERIANS LIVING ‘FAKE GOOD LIFE’ PRIOR TO REMOVAL OF OIL SUBSIDY – TINUBU President Bola Tinubu has said that Nigerians were living a “fake good life” prior to the removal of the fuel subsidy. Speaking at the 34th and 35th combined convocation ceremonies of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in Ondo State, Tinubu, who was represented by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, explained that his administration’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy and unify exchange rates was necessary to prevent the country from falling into an economic crisis. Tinubu noted that although the subsidies were intended to support the poor, they ultimately benefitted the wealthy, leaving average Nigerians to bear the brunt of an unstable economy. “As you are all aware, we took the baton of authority at a time when our economy was nose-diving as a result of heavy debts from fuel and dollar subsidies,” he said. He continued: “The subsidies were meant to support the poor and make life better for all Nigerians. Unfortunately, the good life we thought we were living was a fake one that was capable of leading the country to a total collapse unless drastic efforts were urgently taken. “The need to salvage the future of our children and bring the country back from the brink of collapse necessitated the strategic decisions to remove the fuel subsidy and also unify the exchange rates.” Tinubu assured Nigerians that the policies implemented by his administration were already yielding results, with signs of economic recovery. “The present challenges call for a high degree of patriotism, and I can assure all Nigerians that there is light at the end of the tunnel. After rain comes sunshine. The brighter days are almost here,” Tinubu said.
YET-TO-BE IDENTIFIED CATHOLIC PRIEST KIDNAPPED IN ENUGU
YET-TO-IDENTIFIED CATHOLIC PRIEST ALLEGEDLY KIDNAPPED IN ENUGU A yet-to-identified Catholic priest was Saturday evening allegedly kidnapped along Opi-Ugwuogo expressway in Enugu State. It was gathered that the kidnappers disguised as police operatives and operated at a checkpoint before whisking the priest away. A viral video of the incident showed that the hoodlums escaped with the priest when the escorts of the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai, arrived at the scene. According to an eye witness, the kidnappers also shot at a windscreen of a hilux, although the occupants were not kidnapped following the arrival of the deputy governor’s convoy. “It was someone inside the hilux that shouted that the people we thought were policemen were actually kidnappers,” said a source. “They were firing at the convoy as they were running into the bush. But already they had carried the priest inside.” The passenger in the hilux was heard saying that the bullet nearly hit his head. It was learnt that the deputy governor was returning from the burial of a brother to former Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mbah, a Deputy Inspector General of Police. Enugu-Ugwuogo-Opi road has been witnessing kidnap cases despite the presence of many police and military checkpoints. Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad were recently deployed to strategic places along the road to check the activities of criminals. The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, is yet to make an official statement on the matter as efforts to get him to speak did not yield positive results.
FEDERAL PENSIONERS PLAN PROTEST OVER N32,000 INCREMENT
FEDERAL PENSIONERS PLAN PROTEST OVER N32,000 INCREMENT Federal Pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme have written to the Coordinating Minister of Finance and National Economy, Wale Edun, to demand the implementation of the earlier announced N32,000 increment in pension. The N32,000 increment for pensioners was announced shortly after the announcement of the 70 thousand naira minimum wage for workers. The pensioners, who had earlier staged a peaceful rally at the Ministry of Finance on November 12, 2024, expressed appreciation for the minister’s ‘civilised way of handling their grievances.’ However, they lamented that despite promises, the accrued rights account had remained uncredited, stating that they would not back down until their demands were met. The pensioners’ union leadership, in a letter dated November 25, 2024, called for “payment of the approved 32 thousand naira monthly pension increase per retiree arising from the current national minimum wage.