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SAD! NULGE chairman slumps, dies at fuel station
The persistent fuel scarcity in the country has claimed another casualty as the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) chairman in Akure South local government of Ondo State, Oluwatuyi Olasoji died few days after collapsing while waiting to buy the Premium Motor Spirit.
According to a local tabloid in the state, Sunshine Truth, the deceased slumped last week while trying to buy fuel at a filling station in the state capital and was rushed to the Federal Medical Center in Owo.
He was said to have undergone a surgery and given up to the ghost on Monday.
Petrol scarcity has recently hit the country as motorists continued to lament.
Long queues at filling stations have worsened traffic conditions, with many people stranded at bus stops due to doubled transport fares.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Banks have commenced implementation of the new Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transaction fee charge on customers following the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) directive.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored some banks’ ATM gallery in Abuja and environs on Sunday, reports that some customers were lamenting about the increase.
All the banks’ ATM visited had monies loaded in them.
Mr Luke Abudu, a customer seen at First Bank along Nyanya-Jikwoyi road, said the implementation would only affect the poor masses who were struggling to make a living.
Abudu said the move would discourage customers from lodging monies in the banks.
”I came to withdraw N20,000 but I found out that I was charged N100 for the withdrawal.
‘”This is too much for a small business owner like me,” he said.
Another customer, Mrs Victoria Adejo, seen at Zenith Bank, Mararaba branch said that withdrawal from Point of Sale (PoS) agent was now cheaper than using an ATM.
”It is unfortunate that our government formulate policies without feeling the pulse of the people.
”I read that the CBN said the decision is in response to rising cost and to improve efficiency of ATM services but banks still bill us for service charge.
”They (banks) declare profit in billions and trillions from our monies and the CBN does not consider that.
”This is not good enough at all, ” she said.
Mr Nurudeen Ehimotor, a customer at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Asokoro, said he was at the bank to use the ATM due to the bank’s poor online network.
”I came to use ATM because I tried to transfer money from my bank using USSD since yesterday but it didn’t go through.
”I have an issue with my app, so I have been using USSD codes for my transfer.
”I think they (the bank’s) are trying to make people use ATM now for them to make more money,” he said.
Ehimotor appealed to banks to reduce incessant charges on customers account.
NAN reports that the CBN had on Feb. 10, released a circular to all banks and other financial institutions to apply the fees with effect from March 1.
CBN in the circular with title ‘Review of ATM transaction fees’ said the move was in response to rising cost and the need to improve efficiency of ATM services in the banking industry.
On-Us (customers withdrawing at the ATM of the customer’s financial institution) in Nigeria, no charge.
”Not-on-Us ( withdrawal from another institution’s ATM) in Nigeria; On-site-ATMs: A charge of N100 per N20,000 withdrawal.
”Off-site ATMs: A charge of N100 plus a surcharge of not more than N500 per N20,000 withdrawal.
”The income which is an income of the ATM acquirer/deployer, shall be disclosed at point of withdrawal to the consumer,” it said.
Meanwhile, banks had informed their customers through various electronic mails (e-mails) of the increase.
GTB told its customers in addition to the ATM transaction fee, that the free monthly withdrawals usually enjoyed by them would no longer be applied.
”Please note that the three free monthly withdrawals at other banks’ ATMs (for GTBank customers) and GTBank ATMs ( for other bank customers) will no longer apply,” the bank said.
Also, Access Bank in their official X handle told customers that ”All Access Cards now work seamlessly across all ATMs and POS machines, so you can make payments without hassle”.
… as NNPCL, Afreximbank partner to build 500-bed facility for oncology, hematology, cardiology
By Gloria Ikibah
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reiterated its commitment to adding value across various sectors and communities in the country.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement with the National Assembly Press Corps on Saturday in Abuja, the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye,emphasised the crucial role of the oil sector in Nigeria’s economic and social growth.
He assured that NNPCL was dedicated to more than just supplying fuel but also contributing to national development.
Shoneye stated: “I’m glad to have you here again at this stakeholder engagement proudly sponsored by NNPC.
“It is truly heartwarming to see how it has brought us together. At NNPC, we believe in fueling not just vehicles but also meaningful moments like this. Tonight is another night that NNPCL will successfully power laughter and great partnerships”.
Reaffirming NNPCL’s dedication to national progress, Soneye showcased various initiatives aimed at improving lives across the country.
He pointed to the impact of the NNPC Foundation, which recently facilitated 1,000 free cataract surgeries in the Southwest, restoring vision to many beneficiaries.
He also revealed NNPCL’s partnership with Afreximbank to finalize the African Medical Center of Excellence (AMCE), a 500-bed facility focused on oncology, hematology, cardiology, and advanced medical training for Nigerians.
“We are set to perform another 1,000 surgeries in the North and an additional 1,000 in the Southeast and South-South before the end of the second quarter of 2025.
“This strategic investment aims to enhance access to specialized healthcare, ensuring that Nigerians receive world-class medical treatment. The AMCE is scheduled to commence operations in June 2025,” Soneye disclosed.
NNPCL provided an update on its Medical Hospital in Abuja, which treated 122,483 patients in 2024 alone. The facility has been crucial in delivering emergency care to accident victims and offering essential medical services, including radiology, physiotherapy, maternity care, dental and eye treatments, and life-saving surgeries.
“Across Nigeria, NNPC hospitals continue to play a pivotal role in improving healthcare access and saving lives. This is a direct demonstration of how NNPC is utilizing oil revenues to positively impact the lives of Nigerians on a daily basis”, he added.
Shoneye emphasised that oil is not just a commodity but the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, driving industrialization, employment, and national development.
He further highlighted the vital role of oil in everyday life, from powering homes and transportation to serving as a foundation for industries such as plastics, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.
“For nations like Nigeria, oil fuels transportation, powers industries, and generates revenues that support national growth.
“Without oil, modern life as we know it would be vastly different,” he added.
He reaffirmed NNPCL’s commitment to energy accessibility and economic stability, he stressed the company’s focus on responsible resource management.
Shoneye therefore urged stakeholders to drive policies and innovations that will secure Nigeria’s future.
“At NNPC Ltd., we remain committed to ensuring energy accessibility, economic stability, and fostering global partnerships that strengthen the oil industry for the benefit of our people.
“Together, we must continue to drive policies and innovations that secure the prosperity of our dear country,” he stated.
The event provided a platform for discussions on the oil industry’s role in national development and NNPCL’s social impact initiatives
By Gloria Ikibah
The Speaker House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has restated the commitment of the 10th House to ensuring transparency and accountability in managing public funds.
Speaking at a public hearing organized by the House Committee on TETFUND and Other Services, on Friiday in Abuja, Speaker Abbas, who was represented by the House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere highlighted the significance of the proposed amendments to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Act (2011).
Abbas noted that TETFUND, established by an Act of the National Assembly in 2011, serves as an intervention agency supporting public tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
According to him, the agency focuses on providing educational infrastructure and facilitating capacity-building initiatives for academic staff.
In her address, the Committee Chairman, Rep. Mariam Onuoha, stated that the proposed legislation aims to address the challenges of poor project implementation, which have raised concerns about the actual use of funds in tertiary institutions.
She noted that, in response to complaints and controversies from stakeholders, the Speaker recommended amendments to Section 7 of the Act to strengthen guidelines for accessing and utilizing the funds.
Onuoha assured that stakeholders’ views and submissions would be carefully considered in the final report after the hearing.
The Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Sonny Echono, who highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure effective management of the fund, criticized the unchecked establishment of tertiary institutions, particularly by state governments relying solely on TETFUND without proper financial plans.
According to him, to promote fairness, only one university, one polytechnic, and one college of education per state was eligible for funding each year.
He therefore urged lawmakers to prioritise expanding existing institutions instead of creating new ones, to ensure better allocation of resources.
President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, called for ASUU’s reinstatement on the TETFUND board and advocated for an independent monitoring committee to oversee projects from inception to completion.
Prof. Osodeke also warned that ongoing tax reforms could threaten TETFUND’s operations, stressing that the fund is crucial to sustaining Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
Banks begin implementation of new ATM transaction fee
NNPCL Reaffirms Commitment to National Development
Speaker Abbas Reaffirms Commitment to Accountability in Public Funds
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