Economy
We are addressing class inequality to bring joy to Nigerians – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration has embarked on implementation of policies, programmes and projects aimed at closing the gap between the different classes to bring joy to a greater number of the citizens.
The president stated this in Abuja on Tuesday at the end of the two-day First Year Ministerial Performance Review Retreat, organised by the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation to assess the performance of government in the last one year.
He observed that already the policies, programmes and projects had started yielding fruitful results.
He said: “Within these few days we have examined the numerous policies, programmes and projects this administration had embarked upon which are targeted at lifting our people from the shackle of poverty, protect their lives and property and ensure equitable distribution of the nation’s wealth.
“We aim to gradually close the gap between the different classes to bring joy to a greater number of the citizens.
“I’m glad that these policies, programmes and projects have recorded appreciable successes.
“Our renewed vigour on agriculture has been demonstrated through our Anchor Borrower Programme and the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative.’’
The president, therefore, challenged all cabinet members and senior government officials to defend the government vigorously and not allow “any irresponsible and politically motivated statements’’ to keep spreading falsehoods about the All Progressives Congress led administration.
He also reminded them that the days of insufficient collaboration, coordination and synergy among implementing Ministries, Departments and Agencies should be over.
He, therefore, appealed for more collaboration and synergy among government agencies, so as to enhance development.
“In this regard, I have directed that essential coordination delivery unit in the office of the secretary of the government of the federation should be revived to ensure we focus on results.
“The Secretary to the Government Federation is to ensure regular reports on progress submitted.
“I have charged all of you to defend the government vigorously and not allow any irresponsible and politically motivated statements to keep spreading falsehoods about this government.
“Information to the public should be better packaged, go on the offensive, we are proud of our achievements and we should blow our own trumpets.’’
The president maintained that his administration could not afford to fail Nigerians, who invested their trust in the government.
“I am hereby charging Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and all heads of parastatals to be continuously conscious of their commitment and responsibilities.
“On behalf of the people of Nigeria, I demand the uttermost level of performance, deliverables and results.
“I look forward to a result orientated year with tremendous benefits that will continue to change the lives of our people positively,” he added.
Buhari also noted with delight that the administration under his leadership had learnt lessons in the last one year that would further enhance performance.
He said: “I am confident that the lessons we have learnt in the last one year of implementation of policies, programmes and projects, deliberations and resolutions form the different sessions as well as experience sharing from various speakers, will serve as the needed tool to propel every ministry to the next level of achievement.
“More importantly, the trust reposed in us by Nigerians remains the ultimate driving force.
“We cannot afford to lose focus, regardless of the challenges. Our eyes must therefore remain fixed on the ultimate goal.
“More than ever before, I charge us to play as a team, because that is what we are, to this end, the days of insufficient collaboration, coordination and synergy among implementing Ministries, Departments and Agencies should be over,” he said.
The Nigerian leader then directed the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation to reactivate its Central Delivery Coordination unit to enhance performance.
“In this regard, I have directed that the Central Delivery Coordination unit in the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation should be revived to ensure the much-needed synergy and focus on results.
“The Secretary to Government of the Federation is to ensure regular reports on progress are submitted,” he said.
The president also directed Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure speedy and timely release of funds to MDAs for implementation of the N2.3 trillion economic sustainability plan and the capital projects in the 2020 budget.
He, therefore, enjoined ministers to ensure efficient and transparent utilization of funds released for the implementation of the programmes and projects under the nine priorities areas of government.
Earlier in his remarks, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, noted that the Buhari administration had made some progress, adding that “we have the potential to do more in order to transform our country and improve the lives of our people’’.
He revealed that, based on the independent assessment of the Performance on Ministerial Mandates across the Ministries by the staff of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and their Technical Partners and the plenary conversations, five key issues emerged:
i. The need to review and reprioritize the interventions in the Ministerial mandates to meet the new emerging socio-economic environment and deliver on Presidential priorities.
ii. The need for Key Performance Indicators and annual targets that smartly define success of interventions in each priority area for improved performance assessment going forward.
iii. The need for inter-agency collaboration to drive delivery and synergy among implementing MDAs.
iv. The need to accelerate the implementation of the Economic Sustainability Plan in order to respond to the challenges associated with COVID-19 pandemic; and
v. Adequacy and timeliness of fund releases to execute projects and programmes of the Ministerial mandates.
According to him, as part of the strategy towards ensuring effective realization of these objectives, the OSGF will sustain the ongoing discussions after the retreat with ministers with a view to “reviewing and re-prioritizing interventions in the light of the lessons learnt, so that we can deliver as agreed.’’
He, therefore, stressed the need for ministers and heads of agencies under their supervision to work together to strengthen inter-agency collaboration to drive delivery and synergy among implementing MDAs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day retreat was declared open on Monday by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on behalf of President Buhari, who was away to Niger Republic, to attend the 57th Summit of Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS. (NAN)
By Hassan Taiye
The Senate through its committee on Public Account declared Tuesday that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company ( NNPCL) , has responded to 19 queries raised against it in the Audit reports of 2017 to 2023.
The Committee had on the 29th of July this year , gave the Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Engineer Bayo Ojulari , three weeks to respond to the 19 queries on N210trillion yet to be accounted for, in the Audited account of National Oil Company .
Responding to questions from journalists at the close of plenary on Tuesday on whether NNPCL had responded to the queries or not , the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Aliyu Wadada ( Nasarawa West) said yes but explained that the responses were yet to be critically looked into .
He said : “While we were on recess, management of NNPCL wrote to the committee, requesting an extension of time to enable them compile data and respond comprehensively to the questions we raised — and we granted that request.
“They have since responded, and we now have answers to all 19 questions we sent to them.
“However, the report is yet to be presented before the committee. That is why, as chairman, I have refrained from making any public statement on the matter until it is properly laid before members.
“But let me assure you, as I promised earlier on behalf of the committee, we will do justice to the matter”.
He added that beyond the audited financial statements, there are other issues emerging around the NNPC.
According to him, the first of such issues is production sharing contracts — specifically, the production cost to Nigeria which must be clearly defined, and the public deserves to know what portion goes to the NNPC, what goes to the international oil companies (IOCs), and what accrues to the government under the production sharing arrangement.
“Furthermore, the committee has been informed that NNPC Retail has declared a loss.
“This development is also of concern to us and to the public. We find it difficult to understand why NNPC Retail should record a loss, but we will seek clarification when the corporation appears before us.
“As far as the audited financial statements are concerned — which cover the period between 2017 and 2023 — NNPC has submitted its responses to the 19 questions we asked. Nigerians and the media will be informed of the contents in due course.
“Out of those answers, the ones that make sense and those that do not will be evident to the public”, he stressed .
By: Fabian Apechihin
Nigerians are facing yet another spike in fuel prices as premium motor spirit (petrol) now sells for between ₦905 and ₦945 per litre across several filling stations in Abuja.
Checks on Monday, October 6, 2025, revealed that Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets, along with Empire, AA Rano, and Shema filling stations, adjusted their pump prices upwards. Empire Filling Station in Gwarimpa reportedly sold petrol at the highest rate of ₦945 per litre.
Other stations, including MRS, Emedeb, Ranoil, and Eterna, dispensed petrol between ₦885 and ₦910 per litre.
Marketers Blame PENGASSAN Strike for Price Surge
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) attributed the sudden hike to disruptions caused by last week’s strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
IPMAN President, Abubakar Maigandi, explained that the price increase was largely due to supply interruptions. He noted that stations receiving supplies from Dangote Refinery were still selling between ₦885 and ₦895 per litre, adding that prices were expected to stabilize soon.
“The feud between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN may have triggered panic buying and artificial scarcity. I can assure you that prices will drop and return to normal in the coming days,” Maigandi said.
IPMAN spokesperson Chinedu Ukadike also confirmed that the PENGASSAN strike caused temporary shortages in Lagos and Abuja but expressed optimism that availability would improve as supply chains normalize.
Depot Prices Edge Up
Depot prices have reportedly risen slightly, with Dangote Refinery selling petrol at ₦844 per litre, Ranoil and Aiteo at ₦845, and NIPCO at ₦850 in Lagos.
The fuel price increase comes just days after Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN resolved their dispute over the alleged mass dismissal of Nigerian workers, which led to a two-day strike. Federal Government intervention helped broker peace between both parties.
Dangote Refinery later thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other mediators for their role in ending the strike.
Shettima, PENGASSAN Trade Words
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31) on Monday, criticized PENGASSAN, declaring that “Nigeria is bigger than the union.”
In response, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo countered, saying the country is also “bigger than Dangote Refinery and the presidency,” emphasizing the union’s commitment to protecting Nigerian workers’ rights.
- Urges Kwarans, foreigners to embrace it Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Kwara State Government has continued to showcase the beauty of culture and traditional assets and its uniqueness in the daily lives of the citizens, urging the people to embrace it for development.
The State Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju, had earlier in a broadcast, enjoined the people of the State, at home and in the diaspora, to embrace tourism as a tool for developmental progress to sustain transformational growth in line with the policy thrust of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s-led administration.
The Commissioner made the call to mark the 2025 World Tourism day with the theme, ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation’, as declared by the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization(UNWTO).
According to Olukoju, tourism is more than travel, it is actually a way of supporting people, culture, and the environment while driving economic growth, urging all and sundry to explore the various tourist sites around them.
“Tourism is not just travel, it is about building a future where every journey contributes to people, culture and planet, it is about hospitality that opens our heart and also helps to preserve our heritage and create opportunities for growth and development”, She said.
The Commissioner, who was delighted that the Ilorin Emirate Durbar was recently ranked among the top ten festivals in Nigeria, celebrated Hajia Faridah Shagaya, who was recognised among Africa’s top tourism personalities, describing the recognitions as sources of pride for the state.
She commended the administration of Governor AbdulRazaq for investing in tourism and hospitality, citing projects such as the Visual Arts Centre, Flower Garden, and Sugar Factory Film Studios, among others, as commendable efforts.
She also announced that this year’s celebration includes a roundtable with stakeholders to advance discussions on the future of tourism in Kwara State.
“Tourism is wearing a new face, from the Sugar Factory Film Studio, the Visual Arts Centre and the improved road network to Owu Waterfalls and many more which are evident of his work and is gradually opening Kwara to the World”, she added.
The Commissioner, who was represented at the event by the Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply, Hajia Salamat Yahaya, assured that tourism will continue to receive priority attention under the present administration and urged all stakeholders to support the ongoing efforts to make Kwara a leading destination for culture, heritage, and hospitality.
In her remarks, the Secretary, kwara State Hospitality and Tourism Development Board, Hajia Ramat Akanni, applauded the present administration for priority attention given to the Board.
Hajia Akanni expressed optimism towards an enviable tourism and hospitality driven state, which she assured, would attract prospective investors and enhance revenue generation for the state.
She sought support and utmost compliance from hoteliers and relevant stakeholders to achieve the desired goals, pointing out that violators will face the full wrath of the law.
Relevant stakeholders and participants at the one-day event later visited Sobi Hills and the Kwara Sugar Film Factory as part of activities marking the celebration.
End
Again 30 villagers abducted in Zamfara.
2 bandits meet Waterloo in Zamfara ambush.
OPINION( BOKO HARAM): A Time To Look Beyond The Obvious.
-
Uncategorized5 years agoFG, states urged to harness flooding for ranching, others with technology – Agbaje
-
Headlines10 years agoBreaking: EFCC seals Borno House of Assembly, as Hon members take to their heels
-
News11 years agoNigeria Security Operatives Stage Manhunt For Homosexual Perpetrator
-
News9 years agoHow 21-year-old Girl fled community over accusation of lesbianism
-
News10 years agoYobe Gov Moves Against Deputy
-
Opinion6 years ago7 signs she has friend zoned you
-
Technology4 years ago
Online job placement company headhunts women
-
Headlines9 years agoBorno Dep Gov Abducts Another Church Leader