News
NMDPRA shuts 19 illegal gas outlets in Delta

By Francesca Hangeior
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has sealed 19 illegal Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Category D cooking gas outlets in Delta State.
Category D LPG operators are those who refill gas from licensed plants for customers to collect from their premises.
The NMDPRA Coordinator in Delta, Victor Ohwodiasa, disclosed this to journalists in Warri on Tuesday, noting that “the illegal gas outlets were sealed within the past two weeks.”
According to him, the outlets were shut down in Orerokpe, Ogwashi-Ukwu, and Warri, as well as other surrounding areas.
Ohwodiasa explained that “the illegal gas outlets were closed for offences ranging from lack of prerequisite approvals to unsafe locations.”
He said, “During the operation, about 28 illegal outlets were identified by the authority. We tried to assess whether they could be regularised, as they were wrongly sited.
“The outlet sealed in Ogwashi-Ukwu was a five-metric-tonne refilling plant constructed by the roadside, close to high-tension cables.
“The authority assessed the environment and found that it was wrongly located on a right of way and had no approval. It was sealed, and a relocation order was issued immediately.
“Other offenders were engaged in what we call ‘decanting’—that is, transferring gas from one cylinder to another. This is strictly prohibited.
“The correct practice is ‘bottle swap,’ where customers exchange their empty cylinders for filled ones,” he said.
The NMDPRA Coordinator stressed that “the exercise is not intended to frustrate small-scale gas business owners but to ensure they operate in a safe and secure environment.”
He urged landlords not to allocate space to Category D LPG operators seeking to conduct illegal business on their properties.
“The goal is to prevent potential fire outbreaks that could endanger lives and property,” he stated.
Ohwodiasa added, “NMDPRA is committed to ensuring that lives and property are adequately protected.
“Imagine someone storing cooking gas near a welding workshop or where food vendors are frying bean cakes or roasting corn. A gas leak in such a setting would have catastrophic consequences.
“If an illegal operator does not value his own life, it is our duty to ensure he does not endanger himself or others by running an unauthorised facility.”
He assured that the regulatory authority would sustain its enforcement efforts across the state and that any violators would face legal consequences.
He also warned that offenders who refused to relocate their facilities would be handed over to security agencies for prosecution.
The coordinator appealed to the public to report anyone engaging in illegal gas transfers to the NMDPRA for prompt action, saying, “Help us to serve you better.”
Ohwodiasa further assured that the regulatory body would continue sensitising operators, noting that the authority holds annual stakeholder engagement meetings with gas plant owners and Category D operators.
He added that the regulatory authority also runs public awareness campaigns on radio and television to educate people on the safe handling of cooking gas due to its volatility.
The coordinator expressed appreciation to the Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Engr. Ahmed Farouk, for his continued support of regulatory operations in the state.
News
‘We Gave You Enough Time,’ Wike Orders Residents To Evacuate From Right Of Way

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday ordered the demolition of houses in the right of way of the ongoing road construction in Gishiri, under the Katampe area of the nation’s capital.
Wike, who personally supervised the demolition, was seen furiously addressing the community chief saying, “We gave you time.”
Some of the residents tried to resist and stop the excavators from demolishing their properties but were dispersed with tear gas by security operatives.
Briefing journalists, the minister explained that compensation was offered to the residents, but rather than accepting it, they turned it down leaving the FCT Administration with no choice.
Security operatives observe the demolition of houses in Gishiri, Katampe area of Abuja on March 11, 2025.
He also disclosed that a grace period of three months was given to them to evacuate so that the road construction could continue but instead of listening to them, they turned a deaf ear to their calls.
“I have visited this site more than four times and have engaged with community leaders and their chiefs. It is crucial for them to cooperate with the government so that CGC, our contractor, can complete this road by May,” Wike said.
“I made it clear to the traditional ruler that the work must proceed. No government will stand by while individuals undermine a project that serves the public good. I have personally come here to oversee this demolition, and I want them to understand that things have changed.
The FCT Minister accused the community chiefs of not making good use of the time given to them to evacuate their belongings.
“We have provided over two to three months for them to prepare. We have also offered compensation and a resettlement plan. What more could we do?”
The Gishiri road was flagged off in October 2024 and is expected to be completed in May 2025 to form part of President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office celebration.
News
Tinubu appoints NABTEB registrar, UBEC board chairman

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr Mohammed Aminu the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).
The President has also appointed Mr Idris Olorunnimbe as Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Board.
A statement by Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) informed that Dr. Aminu holds a Ph.D. in Automobile Technology and a Masters in Procurement and Supply Chain Management.
According to the statement, he brings 28 years of experience in teaching, administration, research, and policy development to his new role.
Until his appointment, he served as Director of Procurement at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
An advocate for vocational education and skills development, Dr. Aminu has authored multiple publications and presented research on innovative pedagogies, youth empowerment, and poverty alleviation. He is also a member of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria and the Automotive and Locomotive Engineers Institute.
President Tinubu urged the new NABTEB Registrar to leverage his vast experience to drive transformational leadership in the agency, ensuring it continues to assess and certify skilled Human Resources essential for Nigeria’s industrial growth.
The new UBEC chairman, Mr. Olorunnimbe brings years of experience in innovative leadership and commitment to youth empowerment and education.
Rasaq Olajuwon was named UBEC’s Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), while Tunde Ajibulu will serve as Deputy Executive Secretary (Services).
As Group CEO of The Temple Company, which he founded in 2016, he has spearheaded transformative initiatives across education, entertainment, and sports.
He previously served on the Board of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), where he chaired the Stakeholder and Governance Committees, driving impactful youth employment and entrepreneurship programmes
Mr Olajuwon, until his appointment, was Director of Administration and Human Resources at the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), while Mr Ajibulu, a Fellow of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), is a Director at Tangent Construction Nigeria Limited and Partner at Covenant Consultancy Services.
President Tinubu enjoined the new appointees to strengthen the human capital needed to drive educational reforms and enhance service delivery at UBEC, ensuring greater access to quality basic education nationwide.
News
Abomination ! “I’ve forgiven my wife for sleeping with other men”, says Ijoba Lande

Ijoba Lande, the comedian, has revealed that he has forgiven Darasimi, his estranged wife, for “cheating on me”.
Lande recently claimed that Dara had left him after discovering her infidelity with at least 21 men in the entertainment industry, including Baba Tee.
Baba Tee admitted to having a brief sexual encounter with Dara during a game of ‘Truth or Dare’, but she denied the claim, arguing that she only sat on his lap.
In a recent Instagram live session with media personality Daddy Freeze, Lande said while he has forgiven his wife he will not take her back.
He also said that she would have no access to the child they share.
“She does not need to come to seek forgiveness from me, I have forgiven her. I forgave her because I see it as a part of my life journey,” he said.
“I also forgave her so that God will forgive my own sins as well but she can never come back to me.
“But everything she did to me is gone. However, she cannot have access to the child she had for me because it was her mum who handed the child over to me when I went to their house.”
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