News

Nsukka residents trek over fuel price hike

Published

6 months ago

September 8, 2024

Many residents of Nsukka in Enugu State have resorted to trekking long distances following the hike in petrol pump price.

Public motor parks and petrol stations monitored showed that a litre of petrol now goes for between N1, 100 and N1, 200 resulting in hike of transportation fares in Nsukka.

A filling station manager who spoke on condition of anonymity attributed the increase to hike of pump price to N855 per litre by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited on September 3.

He said, though the station was yet to get new supply, they had to adjust to the new price to enable him to buy products when they exhaust the stock they have.

A resident and civil servant, Victor Ezema, who trekked from Nsukka Old Park to Obeachara Junction Nsukka, a distance of about three kilometres said before the hike, commercial motorcyclists were collecting N300, but now raised the fare to N500.

“I have trekked in order not to be stranded since I am still travelling beyond Nsukka to attend to my office work,’’ he said.

Mr Ezema appealed to the government to urgently address the problem of petroleum products supply, especially by fixing the refineries to check the constant hike in pump price which inflicts hardship on Nigerians.

Another resident, Joy Nnadi, said that she trekked from Odenigbo road to Nsukka Main Market because of fare hike and appealed to the government to look into the sufferings of Nigerians due to the recent hike in pump price.

She said, “We used to pay N200 from Odenigbo to the market, but now the tricycle operators were charging N400 and this has certainly affected the market list I prepared this morning. To make sure I buy the items, I resorted to trekking from Odenigbo area to the market in spite of my health challenge. As we speak, all parts of my body are paining me because I do have rheumatism.’’

She expressed worry that as a crude oil producing nation the government had yet to come up with viable solutions to petroleum refining in the country.

The new increase in patrol price had affected prices of goods and services in Nsukka town and environs as a bag of sachet water that was sold at N350 now sells at N500.

Also, barbers have increased adult hair cut from N500 to N700, while children’s hair cut rose from N300 to N500.

Mr Sunday Ugwo, a barber at Lejja Park area of Nsukka, said he increased his price list because of the increase in petrol pump price.

“Before, adult hair cut was N500, children N300 and shaving N200 but now, adult hair is N700, children N500, while shaving is N400,’’ she said.

(NAN)

News

Just in: Tinubu meets with PANDEF leaders at Aso Rock

Published

2 hours ago

March 11, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with leaders of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

The meeting, which began at 4:15pm with the arrival of President Tinubu is expected to discuss varying issues considered to be critical to the interest of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

Convened by the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, who passed away in February, PANDEF is the mouthpiece of the traditional rulers, leaders and stakeholders of the coastal states of the Niger Delta.

Just as the meeting commenced after the National Anthem had been sung, President Tinubu requested that a minute of silence be observed in memory of Chief Clark.

PANDEF, which is attending the meeting with a large entourage, has former governors, senior politicians, traditional rulers, and other categories of stakeholders in attendance.

Among those at the meeting on PANDEF’s entourage are King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Chairman, Board of Trustees of PANDEF; Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman, Board of Trustees of PANDEF; Ambassador Godknows Igali, National Chairman of PANDEF; Senator Seriake Dickson; Professor Mike Ozakhome; former Cross River State governor, Mr Liyel Imoke; former Rivers Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru; former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Timi Alaibe.

Others are Jaja of Opobo, Professor Dandeson Jaja; Senator Ita Enang; Senator Bassey Henshaw; Mrs Ibim Semenitari, former acting Managing Director of the NDDC; Uche Secondus; Senator Andrew Uchendu; National Coordinator of Host Communities of Nigeria, HOSTCOM, Okareme Maikpobi; Niger Delta activist, Ms Ann-Kio Briggs; spokesman of PANDEF, Chief Obiwevbi Ominimini.

Also attending are the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy,Bayo Onanuga; Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare; and other aides of the President.

Details shortly…

News

BREAKING: Heavy traffic as tanker explodes on Otedola Bridge

Published

2 hours ago

March 11, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A tanker exploded on Tuesday evening on Otedola Bridge along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, causing heavy traffic and panic on the route.

It was gathered that the incident has resulted in traffic congestion on both lanes of the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

The explosion, according to eyewitnesses, occurred around 8 p.m which ignited a fire spreading rapidly.

Reacting, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed that LASEMA’s Tiger Response Team is on the scene working to bring the situation under control.

Details shortly….

News

Bill To Establish Federal College of Entrepreneurship Ntigha Pass Second Reading

Published

4 hours ago

March 11, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition in Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North, Abia State.

The bill is titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North, Abia State, to Provide Full-time Courses, Teaching Instruction and Training in Technology, Applied Science, Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities and Management; and for Related Matters” (HB.1165).

Leading the debate, sponsor of the bill Rep. Ginger Onwusibe, stressed the urgenct need to equipping Nigerian youths with practical skills to address the nation’s rising unemployment crisis.

According to Onwusibe, this is part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment and promote economic self-reliance.

He noted that the traditional focus on white-collar jobs had left many graduates struggling to find employment, making vocational and entrepreneurial education a necessary alternative.

“Nigeria faces a rising youth unemployment crisis, exacerbated by an overdependence on white-collar jobs. To address this, we must begin to prioritize entrepreneurial education and vocational training to equip our youth with practical skills required for self-reliance and job creation,” Onwusibe stated.

He explained that, Ntigha strategically located, with its proximity to key commercial centers in the Southeast, making it an ideal site for such an institution.

The proposed college will offer specialized training in critical areas such as agriculture, technology, manufacturing, and digital innovation—aligning with the federal government’s broader economic diversification strategy.

Rep. Onwusibe argued that similar institutions in other countries had significantly contributed to economic transformation, and Nigeria must follow suit to enhance productivity, reduce poverty, and strengthen local industries.

“This initiative will not only empower young people but also boost local industries, reduce poverty, and enhance national productivity.

“We cannot afford to be left behind in the global drive for entrepreneurship and skills acquisition,” he said.

Members of the House are expected to further deliberate on the bill’s provisions before a final decision is made.

The establishment of the college would mark a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape and reducing the country’s high unemployment rate.