News
Port Harcourt refinery’ll crash fuel price, create jobs—IPMAN, PETRAON
Stakeholders in the oil and gas industry have said the commencement of production at the Port Harcourt Refining Company will engender competition, crash the pump price of petroleum products and create jobs for Nigerians.
Recall that the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari had on Tuesday inaugurated a 60,000 barrel per day capacity plant at the old Port Harcourt Refinery Deport.
During the event, Kyari said the other sections of the refinery will be completed in due course.
The stakeholders, including the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, said this while speaking with newsmen at the sideline of resumption of production at the Port Harcourt Refinery and loading of trucks at the facility located in Eleme, Rivers State on Tuesday.
The IPMAN Chairman in Rivers State, Tekena Ikpaki, said the coming on stream of the Port Harcourt Refinery while confirming the loading of products into trucks while describing it as a remarkable achievement.
Ikpaki stated, “This will remain memorable in our lives and in our hearts because it has been long expected.
“Now it is no longer expected, it is real, it can be seen and felt. Trucks have been coming in and loading out and we have been witnessing the process.”
Asked what the operation of the Port Harcourt Refinery and the Dangote Refinery together mean for the downstream sector, he said it will engender competition and reduce the cost of petroleum products.
Tekena stated, “You know in God’s time He makes all things beautiful and this is just the best thing that will happen to Nigerians. I mean there is super competition now in the system which is in favour of the entire Nigerians.
“When Dangote and the NNPCL are at loggerheads and they are competing, who enjoys the dividends? Of course you and I. So I believe that since the refinery has come on stream, Dangote is there too, it will further push down the price of products.
“Over the weekend, Dangote had announced price reduction both on the marine and trucking, coming from perhaps the resumed operation of the Port Harcourt Refinery. So I think price reduction will be experienced and it will be in our favour and the favour of Nigerians.”
While expressing the optimism that more trucks are expected to come into the facility to load products in the coming days, saying the event of Tuesday was a test run.
“Yes because it is still a test run. You know the place (Refinery) has been moribund for some time. For now, it is still hypothetical but in no distant time everything will be in its proper place and the inflow of trucks will be seen again the way it used to be, ” the Rivers State IPMAN Chairman said.
On its part, the Petroleum Product Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria said the commencement of production after five years will create job opportunities, boost the nation’s economy and bring about competition in the downstream sector.
The National Public Relations Officer of PETROAN, Joseph Obelle said this also corroborated the opinion of IPMAN that it will lead to a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit also known as Petrol.
Obellei further said the association will continue to work with the management of the NNPCL, retail management and other stakeholders to ensure that products lifted at the Port Harcourt Refinery depot are well distributed to all nooks and crannies of the nation.
He commended President Bola Tinubu and the management of the NNPCL for their commitment to reviving the refinery.
He added, “PETRAON expresses optimism for the commencement of production at the Port Harcourt Refinery.
“We are so sure that it will offer job opportunities, boost the economy of the country and trigger competition in the downstream sector which we reflect significantly to price reduction.
“We want to commend the leadership of the NNPC led by the Group CEO, Mele Kyari for demonstrating leadership with his team towards seeing the Port Harcourt Refinery becoming a reality.”
Obelle added, “Funding would have been an issue if not for the determination of Mr President. So we also commend President Bola Tinubu for releasing funds for the Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation”
He lauded the host communities for providing a peaceful atmosphere for the rehabilitation of the refinery and called on the company handling the reconstruction of the Eleme section of the East-West Road to ensure speedy completion of the road for smooth movement of trucks carrying petroleum products from the refinery to other parts of the country.
By Gloria Ikibah
The African Union Simulation has officially named the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, as the Grand Patron of Traditional Institutions in Africa.
This recognition comes ahead of the Africa Day celebration scheduled to take place in Abuja.
A delegation led by Ambassador Dr. Young Piero Omatseye, Africa Coordinator of the African Union Simulation, visited the Ooni at his palace in Ile-Ife on Friday, May 9, 2025, to present the honour and formally invite him to the upcoming event.
“We are here today on behalf of youths and leaders across 54 African countries to inform His Majesty that Africa Day will be commemorated through a blend of cultural traditions, training expeditions, and youth empowerment initiatives. Ooni of Ife, being a natural symbol of tradition, unity, and visionary leadership, has been unanimously nominated as the Grand Patron of the traditional institution in Africa,” Ambassador Omatseye said.
He added that the event will bring together African Heads of State, ministers, ambassadors, global partners, and experts in agriculture, energy, economy, innovation, and technology, all focusing on youth empowerment.
Ambassador Omatseye also recalled the participation of Her Regal Majesty, Amb. (Dr.) Temitope Enitan Ogunwusi, in a similar event at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa last year, highlighting her role in promoting unity and youth development across the continent.
In her response, Her Majesty expressed her appreciation for the honour, praising the African Union Simulation for recognising her husband’s work in uplifting young people.
“My husband’s throne has become a platform for youth transformation across Africa. This prestigious nomination affirms the values he champions for the betterment of young Africans. We deeply appreciate this recognition,” she said.
The Ooni, in his remarks, thanked the delegation for the honour and promised his support.
“I thank the entire delegation and African youth who have traveled from across the continent to present this honour. I pray for the success of the Africa Day celebration and assure you of my support and presence, God willing,” he said.
The visit ended with the presentation of a plaque, officially confirming his role as Grand Patron of Traditional Institutions in Africa.
A police Inspector, Christian Gbaratee, was killed after gunmen ambushed a team of police officers on Tuesday along the Port Harcourt–Aba Road.
A counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this via his X handle on Thursday.
Quoting police sources, Makama stated that the incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. while the officers were returning from a trip in Rivers State.
He also disclosed that the armed assailants, numbering five, were dressed in combat attire during the ambush.
He wrote, “A team of officers, including ASP Victor Eze and Inspector Nwanochi Ndubuisi, were returning from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when they were intercepted by five armed assailants dressed in combat attire. The attack took place on a narrow road after a filling station along the Port Harcourt–Aba Road, Asa.
“During the confrontation, Inspector Christian Gbaratee was shot dead, while Inspector Ekoro Isong went missing. The gun stolen from Gbaratee during the attack, as well as the suspect who had been in custody, were taken by the assailants.”
He further disclosed that a prompt response by the police led to the recovery of a Toyota Corolla and other items, including expended ammunition, a laptop, and three travel bags.
“Additionally, Inspector Isong later surfaced unharmed. The body of the late Inspector Gbaratee has been deposited at the Euro Allied Medical Centre Mortuary for autopsy.
“A search operation in collaboration with military personnel is ongoing to track down the attackers and recover the stolen firearm,” he added.
By Francesca Hangeior
President Bola Tinubu has stated that the Federal Government is taking concrete steps to protect the dignity and future of every Nigerian child, even as he said plans have been concluded to establish a Child Protection and Development Agency to coordinate all issues affecting Nigerian children in a unified and focused manner.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday during the first regional meeting of the Africa Pathfinder Countries of the Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children.
The event was held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The president was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Tinubu said his administration is taking concrete steps to protect the dignity and future of every Nigerian child.
“Our legal frameworks reflect our conviction. From the Child Rights Act to the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, Nigeria has laid down the statutory foundation for the protection of children.
“But legislation alone does not shield the vulnerable — it is the will behind those laws, and the systems that enforce them, that make the difference.
“That is why our national strategy also embraces prevention and early intervention.
“We are strengthening families and communities through programmes that promote positive parenting, challenge harmful social norms, and provide targeted support to vulnerable households. But we must be honest with ourselves. We cannot protect the child by merely reciting the anthems of their struggles or romanticising their vulnerability, Tinubu said.
He stated that the real hope lies in action — concrete, deliberate action.
“Our commitment must run deep, reaching into the very architecture of our education and health systems. This is the soul of our human capital development strategy,” he said.
Tinubu added that every Nigerian child should grow and learn in a safe environment.
“We aim to ensure that every Nigerian child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. This is not simply a policy objective; it is a moral obligation.
“We are investing in safe schools and embedding socio-emotional learning into our national curriculum.
“We are rolling out the National Guidelines on Alternative Care to ensure that even children without parental care are raised in love, safety, and stability,” he said.
-
News6 hours agoJust in: Popular Yoruba traditional ruler joins his ancestors
-
News17 hours agoReal reason APGA snubbed Obi, adopts Tinubu
-
News17 hours agoSenate endorses Tinubu’s full tax reform package
-
News10 hours agoExperts say helicopter firm may face criminal charges over Herbert Wigwe’s death
-
News6 hours agoJust in: Nigeria is still owing us N190bn- IMF insists
-
Politics10 hours agoAwolowo’s grand-daughter resigns as LP executive committee member
-
News6 hours agoJust In: JAMB releases 2025 UTME results, withholds 39,834 over misconduct
-
News17 hours agoTrump Congratulates First American Pope, Leo XIV