News
Gates of Hell to Open in Gaza: Netanyahu cautions Hamas
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to unleash devastating consequences on Gaza if Hamas fails to return all hostages, warning that the “gates of hell” will open if the militant group does not comply.
In a joint statement with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel and the US have a shared strategy to tackle the Palestinian militants, and that Hamas’s military capability and political rule in Gaza will be eliminated. The Israeli Prime Minister also expressed his commitment to bringing all hostages home and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.
Netanyahu’s comments come as US President Donald Trump has proposed a bold and controversial plan for Gaza’s future, suggesting that the US take over the territory and transform it into a “Riviera of the Middle East”.
First priority for Trump is to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack
The plan, which involves resettling Gaza’s two million Palestinian residents in other countries, has sparked widespread outrage and criticism. Rubio, however, defended Trump’s proposal, saying that it represents a bold and courageous vision for Gaza’s future, one that breaks away from the “tired ideas of the past”.
The US Secretary of State emphasized that Hamas cannot continue to operate as a military or government force, and that it must be eradicated. He also stressed that the first priority for Trump is to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack. With tensions escalating in the region, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, but one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the consequences of inaction could be devastating.
The House of Representatives Committee on Environment has summoned NNPC Eighteen Operating Ltd to appear before it on March 4, 2025, following the company’s failure to honour an earlier invitation on February 18, 2025.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Julius Pondi, who read the summon on Tuesday in Abuja, stated that the summons was prompted by a petition from stakeholders over environmental damage linked to oil drilling activities in Buguma and Degema, Rivers State.
The lawmakers had earlier received complaints against NNPC Eighteen Operating Ltd regarding a fire outbreak and oil spill in Buguma, Degema Local Government Area.
The Committee also invited key stakeholders, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), to discuss grievances raised by the Bukuma community.
The communityalleged that NNPC has failed to implement a 2021 court ruling that mandated the grouping of oil-producing communities into clusters for development.
The Committee aims to hear from all parties involved and take necessary measures to address environmental concerns and the alleged neglect of affected communities.
The House of Representatives Copmmittee on the Federal Capital Territory Area Councils and Ancillary Matters has decided to investigate the failure of the six area councils to remit pension contributions to the Area Council Staff Pension Board.
This decision came after a motion was adopted during a session where the Board Director, Suleman Abdulrahman, appeared before the Committee on Wednesday.
The meeting was part of the Committee’s review of budget performance for 2024 in preparation for the 2025 budget cycle. During the session, Abdulrahman informed lawmakers that remittances had been inconsistent.
The Committee also questioned Abdulrahman on why the Board received more funds than were allocated in the 2024 budget.
Documents submitted by the Board indicated that while the total appropriation for pensioner costs was ₦131,148,262, the Board received ₦151,137,417.
In response, Abdulrahman explained that the excess in salary variations was due to increase in the minimum wage.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has initiated a probe into unremitted funds owed to the Federation Account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and several oil firms.
The investigation, led by Sub-Committee Chairman, Rep. Akinlade Isiaq, arose from concerns highlighted in the Auditor General’s 2020–2021 reports regarding unsettled financial obligations by NNPC Ltd and other industry players.
Findings from the audit indicate that, as of December 2021, NNPC Ltd and oil companies owed the Federation roughly $1.6 billion in royalties due to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) under various agreements, including the Production Sharing Contract, Repayment Agreement, and Modified Carry Arrangement. Additionally, NNPCL’s outstanding claims against the Federation were estimated at N1.9 trillion.
Responding to these queries, NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, represented by Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, stated that part of the funds had been directed toward government-designated Priority Projects (GPP) and fuel subsidy payments, which remained in effect until its removal in September 2024.
He explained that deductions were sourced from the Federation’s crude oil and gas entitlements, including royalties, and were allocated to projects based on the approved national budget. However, he clarified that no deductions were made for GPP in 2023 and 2024, as implementation was dependent on the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Rep. Isiaq reaffirmed the committee’s dedication to professionalism and transparency, emphasizing the importance of accountability in managing Nigeria’s oil and gas resources.
“This hearing is a vital step in ensuring that our national resources are properly accounted for. We are committed to taking all necessary measures to recover these outstanding debts in the best interest of the Federation and its citizens,” he stated.
The committee has also summoned oil companies identified in the NUPRC report, which shows they owe the Federal Government a total of $929 million as of September 30, 2024.
To address financial discrepancies, key government agencies have been invited to provide clarity on the issue. These include the Accountant General of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the Ministry of Finance, the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Their input is expected to shed light on the legal and procedural factors behind the non-payment of these funds. This investigation aims to establish stronger accountability and financial transparency within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Reps Summon NNPC Eighteen Operating Ltd Over Pollution in Rivers
Reps Committee Probe Non-Remittance of Pension Contributions By FCT Area Councils
Reps Probe NNPCL, NUPRC Over Unpaid Federation Account Funds
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News24 hours agoMinister of Communication orders closure of radio stations over national security
-
News24 hours agoClark lived and died for Nigera-Obi hails departed patriot
-
News24 hours agoDangerous move: Husband Showered Petrol On Wife To Set Her Ab|aze
-
News24 hours agoActress Chika Ike Finally Speaks On Nwoko Fathering Her Baby
-
News11 hours agoALARMING ! DSS reportedly uncovers 47 Pump Action rifles, live cartridges in Obasa CSO’s office
-
News19 hours ago14 major things to note about frontline leader, Chief Edwin Clark
-
News19 hours agoUS Embassy opens up over alleged USAID funding terrorism in Nigeria
-
News10 hours agoWAR Against Graft: NSITF, ICPC Join Forces to Combat Corruption