News
Governors Should Not Be Allowed To Abuse State Police – PSC Boss, Arase
With talks about the establishment of state police gaining momentum in the country, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Solomon Arase, has warned state governors not to abuse state police.
Arase, the 18th Inspector General of Police, made this known on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande aired on Channels Television on Friday.
On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu and the 36 state governors met and considered the establishment of state police as a way to solve the escalating security challenges and the booming kidnap-for-ransom menace in the country.
Speaking on the state police alternative, Arase said, “Policing is local. Crime is environmental. State police is what we should be thinking about but then, there must be some safeguards put in place like is the governor going to be the one to appoint a commissioner of police and deputy commissioner of police?
“In order areas, the governor does not have control over the appointment of police commissioners. The truth about it is that of we are going to have state police, our political culture must be such that accommodate oppositions. Most of our governors, if they have control over police apparatus, their oppositions won’t be able to campaign anywhere.”
The police commission boss said there should be laws to check the excesses or otherwise of governors who abuse state police. He suggested that members of the civil society organisations, lawyers of repute, traditional rulers, religious leaders should be empowered to appoint police commissioners under the state police system.
He lamented that crimes will fester in a country where there are no consequences for crimes.
“We want to see more of prosecution; prosecution is a deterrence to others who want to go that route. The number of arrests in the past eight years is quite huge but it is not commensurate to the prosecution.
“You cannot attract investment in a place where there is no consequence for crimes committed,” he said.
He said technology should be used to aid or supplement the deficiency in manpower within the various security agencies.
He said Police-public partnership should be encourage and a bill should be passed that having closed-circuit television will be a mandatory requirement of public buildings like residential estates, shopping malls and the likes.
Arase said the government should embark on mass recruitment into the security agencies, train them along professional lines and skill acquisition in semi-formal areas for them to be financially independent. He said thereafter the trained pool can be made reservists and be called upon when the country needs extra hands to combat security challenges.
He reminded the President to actualise one of his campaign promises on mass recruitment into the Force, saying that may be the solution to the country’s internal disorder.
On police welfare, he urged the Federal Government to build units of two-bedroom flats for officers of the Nigeria Police Force to take care of their housing issues, especially after retirement. He also said there should be scholarships for the children of serving police officers.
“What will it cost the police management to start building two-bedroom apartments especially for the inspectors and rank and file; those are the ones I call the street managers because those guys are their come rain and come shine and even when it comes to shedding their blood?” he asked.
He further said the calls for right to bear arms by citizens should be discouraged because of mental health issues and the proliferation of firearms in the country.
(By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, paid a visit to former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), at his residence in Minna, Niger State.
In a post shared on his X account on Thursday, Obi confirmed the visit, which followed his earlier meeting with Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi.
The discussions with IBB reportedly centered on national issues, with Obi also taking the opportunity to wish the elder statesman a happy new year.
Describing Babangida as a “father figure” and “wise man,” Obi expressed his admiration for the former leader’s insights and guidance.
He wrote:
“From Jigawa State, I traveled to Minna, Niger State to pay a visit to a father figure, elder statesman, and leader, the former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, at his residence in Minna. The visit was an opportunity to wish him a happy New Year and to exchange thoughts on national issues.
“General Babangida’s wisdom and perspectives remain very important, and I always deeply appreciate the chance to visit him and listen to his invaluable advice and words of wisdom.
“A new Nigeria is POssible!”
News
After Obasanjo’s outburst NNPCL invites him to PH Refinery, Speaks on ‘Halting Crude Oil Supply to Dangote
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has invited former President Olusegun Obasanjo to visit the Port Harcourt Refinery and assess its operational status firsthand.
Naijablitznews reports this is coming barely hours after the former president’s on the reactivated refineries.
Obasanjo had granted interview on Channels Television, in which he cited advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) raising concerns about the refinery’s potential inefficiency.
SPDC, which had been approached for equity participation in the refinery, reportedly attributed these concerns to corruption impacting operations.
Obasanjo also accused NNPCL of misleading the public regarding the refinery’s performance.
In response, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, emphasized the company’s commitment to transparency and invited Obasanjo to see the progress made since the refinery’s rehabilitation.
Soneye highlighted that the rehabilitation efforts involved more than just maintenance, but a complete overhaul to meet international standards, with similar projects underway at the Warri, old Port Harcourt, and Kaduna refineries.
Soneye also noted that NNPCL’s transition from a government corporation to a private entity with limited liability has refocused the company on profitability, aiming to position it as a competitive global energy player. He reassured Nigerians of NNPCL’s dedication to sustaining operations that meet global standards and contribute to the nation’s energy security.
Addressing Obasanjo’s comments, Soneye acknowledged the former president’s role in national discussions and reaffirmed NNPCL’s commitment to a brighter future. Regarding rumors about NNPCL cutting crude oil supplies to the Dangote Refinery, Soneye dismissed the reports as false, indicating there was no need to respond to such claims.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
On Thursday, marking the inaugural trading day of 2025, global oil prices experienced a modest increase.
Brent crude futures experienced an increase, reaching $74.80 a barrel by 0547 GMT, marking a gain of 17 cents, or 0.06%
Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose by 19 cents, or 0.26%, settling at $71.91 a barrel
On Tuesday, New Year’s Eve, Brent crude oil prices increased by 65 cents, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) saw a rise of 73 cents on the same day
In 2024, global oil prices experienced significant fluctuations, driven by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and a notable decline in oil demand from China
China’s Economic Growth Fuels Optimism.
Investors are closely monitoring the expansion of China’s economy.
According to a report by Reuters, oil investors are expressing optimism regarding potential growth in China’s economy, which may lead to increased oil demand from the Asian powerhouse
This sentiment follows President Xi Jinping’s commitment to fostering growth by 2025
In his New Year’s address, the President of China committed to enacting more proactive policies aimed at stimulating economic growth in 2025
China’s factory activity experienced sluggish growth in December 2024, according to a recent survey by Caixin and S&P Global
However, there are indications of a modest recovery in the services and construction sectors, pointing to the potential impact of policy stimulus measures.
Impact of US Economic Policies
As US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20, investors are expressing concerns about the potential effects of tariffs
Due to the New Year holiday, the Energy Information Administration has delayed the release of the weekly U.S. oil stocks data until Thursday, which investors are currently anticipating
Market analyst Tony Sycamore shared insights with Reuters, noting that the weekly chart for WTI is narrowing, suggesting that a significant price movement is on the horizon
The upcoming US ISM manufacturing release is poised to play a crucial role in determining the next direction for crude oil prices.
Instead of attempting to forecast the direction of the impending break, he suggested that it would be more prudent to observe it as it happens and then align with it.
Nigeria’s oil price assumption for the year
The administration of President Bola Tinubu has established the 2025 budget based on the expectation that global oil prices will hover around $75 per barrel.
Additionally, the government has committed to increasing oil production to exceed 2 million barrels per day
Elements influencing oil prices in 2025. We project China’s oil demand to peak in 2025. We anticipate an increase in oil prices should this occur
The Economic and Technological Research Institute (ETRI) of the China National Petroleum Corporation forecasts an increase in oil demand to around 770 million tonnes in the world’s second-largest economy by 2025. India’s Demand: If demand surges in India, the country with the highest population globally, we could witness a significant increase in oil prices. Analysts predict that India is poised to overtake China as the dominant oil market in Asia.
Trump’s commitment to the slogan “drill, baby, drill” has sparked significant discussion regarding energy policies and environmental implications. Upon taking office, President Trump has committed to an immediate increase in oil production within the United States. Experts suggest that this scenario may be unlikely, as the private sector predominantly influences the oil and gas industry in America. The impact of OPEC: Last year, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) faced challenges managing oil prices despite implementing production cuts.
We cannot yet predict the potential impact on the oil market in 2025. Analysts suggest that OPEC’s influence in the global oil market has diminished compared to its historical prominence.
Photos) Obi Visits IBB, Reveals Their Discussion
After Obasanjo’s outburst NNPCL invites him to PH Refinery, Speaks on ‘Halting Crude Oil Supply to Dangote
Oil Prices Rise On First Trading Day Of 2025
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
Foreign18 hours agoSAD! Judge shoots self to death
-
News11 hours agoAnglican Archbishop, Driver Freed After One Month In Kidnappers’ Camp
-
News17 hours agoEducation Minister approves extension of schools’ resumption
-
Metro11 hours agoSAD! Man Stabbed To Death During Rice Fight On New Year’s Day In Delta Community
-
Sports18 hours agoSad! Two months after dad’s demise, Super Eagles goalie, Nwabali announces mum’s death
-
News17 hours agoKano Govt rejects Tinubu’s tax reform bills
-
News10 hours agoNew year message: Peter Obi advises Tinubu to spend holidays in different states
-
News11 hours agoJust in: LP’s Peter Obi opens up on merger deal with PDP, NNPP ahead 2027