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Senate postpones public hearing for NNPC, Dangote, others

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The Senate has postponed the public hearing for the alleged sabotage in the petroleum industry.

The Senate explained that the hearing was postponed for wider consultations with stakeholders whose input and participation would add value to the conclusion of the investigative hearing.

Some key stakeholders summoned to appear before the committee at a public hearing scheduled for September 10 to 12, 2024, include the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Ports Authority.

Other entities summoned are the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Navy, International Oil Companies, Dangote Group, Capital Oil, and modular refineries.

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The upper chamber also cited legislative exigencies aimed at further deepening due diligence in conducting the investigative hearing as another reason for postponing it.

The Leader of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee to Investigate Alleged Economic Sabotage in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), gave these reasons in a statement on Sunday.

The Senate had set up the ad hoc committee to investigate billions spent on maintaining the nation’s refineries, shine a spotlight on regulatory agencies’ overpayment to transporters, and unravel the alleged importation of hazardous petroleum products and dumping of substandard diesel into the country.

The ad-hoc committee had concluded its pre-investigation undertakings and held an interactive session with the heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as some private interests in the downstream and midstream petroleum sector.

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After the exhaustive engagement with select MDAs and private oil firms, the ad-hoc committee subsequently scheduled its investigative hearing for Tuesday, 10th to Thursday, 12th September 2024

However, in his statement on Sunday, Bamidele explained the decision of the ad-hoc committee to postpone the investigative hearing after due consultation with all its members and key actors in the petroleum industry.

He, further, noted that the ad-hoc committee would communicate a new date for the conduct of the investigative hearing to all the stakeholders in due course.

Explaining the compelling reasons for the deferment, Bamidele noted that the decision for the postponement was taken in the best interest of the federation and its teeming population.

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He further explained that the postponement became imperative considering the compelling need “to consult more widely with expanded stakeholders within and without the petroleum industry and legislative exigencies to further deepen due diligence in the conduct of the investigative hearing “

He added that the prevailing realities in the country that demanded urgent interventions of nearly all the stakeholders in the public and private sectors across 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory informed the resolve for the postponement.

Bamidele said, “While we deeply regret all inconveniences it may have caused all the stakeholders collectively or individually, this decision was taken purely and solely in the national interest.”

He explained that each of these decisions was taken to enable the ad-hoc committee a holistic approach to the public hearing and find lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the petroleum sector of the economy.

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Bamidele, therefore, assured all the stakeholders that a new date for the public hearing would be communicated to them in due course.

This came as the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress appealed to the Federal Government to reverse the recent increment in the price of petrol.

The union in a statement issued on Sunday by the State Chairman of NLC, Muritala Olayinka, described the increase as an “assault on workers wellbeing and a breach of contract.”

It told the Federal Government to reverse what it called “economic policies that are not labour-friendly and anti-people”.

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After NNPC hiked petrol prices last week, independent fuel stations adjusted and dispensed the commodity between N1000 and N1200 per litre.

In some fuel stations in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, for instance, a litre of fuel is dispensed at N1000.

Reacting to this, the NLC chairman took a swipe at the Federal Government for reneging on the agreement it reached with the organised labour, recalling that the decision to accept N70,000 as the new minimum wage was on the basis that there won’t be a hike in petrol price.

Olayinka noted that the government was insensitive to raise the pump price of fuel at a time when the citizens were experiencing economic hardship on account of economic policies.

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The NLC chairman however urged the citizens to remain calm and steadfast and avoid acts capable of causing tension, saying that the leadership of the organised labour is working and monitoring the trend of events arising from fuel price increases.

He said, “The Nigeria Labour Congress Kwara State Council received the news of the recent fuel price hike with indignation. This hike is worrisome due to the harsh socio-economic situation in the state and Nigeria at large.

“It is with a deep feeling of compassion and patriotism that we address our workers and the general public on the economic dilemma of the moment caused by the hike in the price of PMS otherwise known as petrol.

“The increase in the petrol price during this period of economic hardship and strangulation calls for a deep sense of concern that may culminate in a national debate or dialogue on the direction toward the living standards of workers and Nigerian people.

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“Consequently, it is our resolve to engage the government to bring succour to the working class people and the Nigeria masses. We are working with the relevant stakeholders and authorities to bring hope to our members and the general public,” he said.

The union urged the Federal Government to review and revert some of its economic policies that are not labour-friendly and anti-people.

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Lagos police uncover baby factory, nab three suspects

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The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a baby factory in the Ijegun area and rescued 10 people.

According to the spokesperson for the command, Benjamin Hundeyin, also shared that three suspects were nabbed on Monday.

Hundeyin disclosed the illegal activity was exposed after the police received a tip-off last Saturday.

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He added that the officers swift into action to the location and arrested the main suspect, Mariam Vincent, aged 35, along with two others – Orie Ruth, 23, and Ujunwa Ifeanyi, 18.

During the operation, the police found and rescued several victims, including three children aged seven, five, and two.

In conclusion, seven adult women and three children were rescued.

Among the adult victims were Precious
(24), Magdalene (25), Adaobi (23), Princess (22), Ifeanyi (25), and Amaka (26).

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The rescued children are Destiny (7), Miracle (5), and Success (2).

All the rescued people are now getting proper care and support.

Hundeyin said the suspects admitted during questioning that they kidnapped the victims from different places in the state to run the baby factory.

He added that the investigation is still ongoing and the suspects will face charges in court.

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While giving updates on police efforts over the past two weeks,

Hundeyin said, “A total of 39 suspects who engaged in various crimes, including murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, child stealing, vandalism, illegal operation of a baby factory, illegal possession of firearms, and illicit drugs were arrested.”

In another case, police officers rescued two kidnapped people in Igbe Alagemo, Ijede area of Ikorodu.

The kidnappers had attacked the community at night on March 26, 2025.

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The police said the victims were safely rescued on March 29 after a joint effort with local teams and security forces.

A distress call had been received around 9 p.m. on the night of the attack.

Hundeyin explained, “Armed kidnappers invaded the quiet community, forcefully entering the residence of a 40-year-old man identified as Dare. The attackers shot and killed his security dog before abducting him.

“Not stopping there, the kidnappers proceeded to a neighbouring house, where they seized a second victim, 25-year-old Rodiat, under similarly violent circumstances.”

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He said the police and other security teams worked non-stop for three days before rescuing the victims at about 11:56 p.m. on March 29.

“The victims were immediately reunited with their families, and the area is now relatively calm.

“Surveillance continues, and an investigation is underway to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of the crime,” he added.

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OERAF Executive Director Dr Akpodiete, Held Memorial lecture on Essence and benefits of health insurance+Photos

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…Enrolled over 400 indigents into Delta state health insurance scheme

In a very unique and significant way of tackling health challenges in our society, the ever passionate and health insurance ambassador (HIA), Executive Director of Olotu & Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete Foundation (OERAF) Dr Otemu Olotu Akpodiete held memorial lecture on essence and benefits of health insurance in Nigeria in honour of his late grand father, Late Chief Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete Ph.D

Speaking during the event at both Okparabe and Otor-Udu respectively yesterday, he noted that health insurance is very important to every family in the society.

Akpodiete explained that, Sometimes there might be an emergency and if you don’t have health insurance, you will spent alot before you can be attended to by Medical organizations. But if there’s health insurance card with you it get easier.

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“He further commended the Delta state government led by His Excellency, Rt Hon (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, for brining this good initiative and it’s very affordable, just with seven thousands naira, you get enrolled unlike the federal government that is almost forty thousand per person.” he added.

The Director General (DG) of the Delta State Contributory health commission, Olorogun Dr. Isaac Akpoveta ably represented by Mr. Emmanuel Akpofure, thanked the sponsor Dr Akpodiete for being the first person across Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency to register indigents for the scheme. He called on other wealthy individuals to emulate this young man.

Dr Akpodiete also received commendation from several beneficiaries of the scheme, they said that to enrole over 400 persons in this program so far is not a joke, each person is seven thousand naira and Dr Olotu Akpodiete is not the most wealthiest before doing it. He is a man with so much passion for humanity and we prayed God to grant him his heart desires.” they concluded.

Other highlights of the event was presentation of health insurance ambassador (HIA) award to the sponsor.

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Just in: Founder of Diamond Bank and ex-chairman of MTN, Paschal Dozie is dead

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Pascal Gabriel Dozie, founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc and a former chairman of MTN Nigeria, has died at 85 from an undisclosed ailment, a source close to the family revealed.

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