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NMDPRA breaks silence on rising petrol pump prices

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says fuel pump prices are determined by market forces and not fixed by the regulator under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

The NMDPRA management made this known in a statement on Saturday, in response to concerns over the recent increase in pump prices of petrol.

It acknowledged the financial difficulties faced by Nigerians following the rise in fuel prices, noting that the situation is putting pressure on households, transport workers and businesses.

NMDPRA said Section 205(1) of the PIA provided that wholesale and retail prices of petroleum products should be based on unrestricted free-market pricing conditions.

It said the provision meant that NMDPRA did not fix pump prices or issue administrative price templates.

‘Pursuant to the PIA 2021, Section 205(1) provides that wholesale and retail prices of petroleum products shall be based on unrestricted free market pricing conditions.

‘Section 205(2)-(4) restricts government intervention in pricing strictly to exceptional circumstances where there is formal evidence of declared market failure. No such market failure has been declared.

‘Section 216 empowers the authority to prevent anti-competitive practices, price-fixing, and the abuse of market dominance,’ it said.

NMDPRA said it was also conducting joint security operations with the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant security agencies to intensify surveillance along border corridors.

It said the measure was aimed at curbing illegal cross-border diversion of petroleum products and ensuring supply stability.

The authority said deregulation did not exempt petroleum operators from regulatory compliance or fair-trade standards.

It said that, under its Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), both agencies maintained joint surveillance to monitor price-gouging, collusion, under-dispensing and compromised product quality.

NMDPRA said it was also opening dedicated feedback and reporting channels for members of the public and industry stakeholders to report irregular pricing and exploitative trade practices.

It said the reports would be subjected to regulatory investigation and enforcement where necessary.

‘NMDPRA remains steadfast in fulfilling its statutory mandate to ensure energy security, foster fair competition and protect consumers within the PIA’s legal framework,’ it said.

Oyo Police counter report linking student’s death to ?8,000 debt case

The Oyo State Police Command has rejected reports that a student who was recently detained and taken to court was charged over an outstanding ?8,000 debt.

The Command described as ‘false, unfounded and misleading’ a report titled, ‘They Ruined My Reputation; Student Commits Suicide After Oyo Police Detention Over ?8,000 Debt.’

In a statement issued on Friday, September 19, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the deceased was not charged to court over the ?8,000 debt but over allegations of assault and malicious damage.

According to the Command, investigation revealed that the suspect had approached a female Point-of-Sale (POS) operator to collect ?23,000 in cash, with the intention of transferring the same amount to her through a POS transaction.

The Police said the suspect collected the cash but left without making the transfer or returning the money.

It added that the suspect later refunded ?15,000, leaving an outstanding balance of ?8,000, which he allegedly refused to pay.

According to the statement, the complainant subsequently took possession of the suspect’s mobile phone pending repayment of the outstanding balance.

The Command said that instead of settling the matter, the suspect allegedly went to the complainant’s residence at about 10 p.m. on September 8, 2026, where he assaulted her and damaged her Airtel SIM registration machine, valued at ?177,000.

The incident reportedly led to the intervention of members of the community, who attempted to resolve the dispute.

The Police said the attempt failed, and the suspect was subsequently handed over to vigilantes, who brought him and the complainant to the police station.

The Command said officers listened to both parties and made another attempt to settle the matter amicably, but the complainant insisted on pursuing the case in court.

‘Accordingly, having regard to the facts established during investigation and the evidence available, the suspect was charged to court for assault and malicious damage, and not for the outstanding ?8,000,’ the statement said.

The Police further clarified that the suspect’s subsequent remand at Agodi Correctional Centre was not ordered by the Police over the debt.

According to the Command, the court granted the suspect bail after his arraignment, but he was unable to immediately meet the bail conditions imposed by the court.

He was later released after meeting the conditions, the Police said.

The Command also cautioned against directly linking the reported death of the suspect to the Police case without verified evidence establishing such a connection.

It said the circumstances surrounding the death should be established through appropriate investigation rather than through an inaccurate or incomplete narrative.

The Police urged media practitioners and members of the public to verify information before publishing sensitive reports, particularly cases involving criminal proceedings and loss of life.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, due process, accountability and accurate public communication.

It also urged members of the public to contact the Oyo State Call Response Centre on the toll-free line 615 or the Oyo State Police Command Control Room on 08081768614 and 07055495413 in case of emergencies.

South Cotabato solon calls for stronger school safety measures

South Cotabato 2nd District Representative Ferdinand L. Hernandez has expressed condolences with the families of victims of the tragic campus shooting in Banga, South Cotabato that killed three, and wounded six other students.

He called for stronger measures to prevent entry of weapons in schools and improve intervention and emergency response to save lives when situations like this occur.

‘We need to improve the safety of all education stakeholders, prevent entry of firearms and strengthen emergency response,’ Hernandez said.

Hernandez, also House senior deputy speaker, also conveyed his support to the students, teachers, parents and the entire school community of Banga National High School who were affected by the tragedy.

In a statement, Hernandez said he and his family share in the grief of those affected by the incident and assured them of his willingness to coordinate with concerned government agencies to determine what assistance could be extended to the affected families.

‘We are ready to coordinate with the concerned agencies to provide whatever assistance may be extended to the affected families.’ Hernandez said.

Hernandez also urged the public to refrain from speculation while investigation of the crime is in progress and respect the privacy and dignity of the students.

The senior House official has called on parents to speak with their children, saying an open line of communication is always helpful to ensure they are returning home safe everyday.

Lagos APC inaugurates campaign council, seeks unity ahead of 2027

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday inaugurated its campaign council, urging members to work together for mobilisation of voters for the party’s candidates.

The council, inaugurated by the PBAT-KOH Campaign Secretariat, is headed by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro as Director -General (DG), with Mr. Rasaq Ajala as Deputy Director-General and Mr Adekunle Olayinka as the Secretary.

At the event held at the party’s secretariat on Acme Road, Ikeja, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, urged All Progressives Congress (APC) members to intensify grassroots mobilisation for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

Hamzat, who is also the governorship candidate of APC in Lagos State, urged mobilisation for continuity of APC administration in the state.

He urged members of the council to work together and take the party’s message to Lagos residents, saying that victory at the polls would require active participation at the grassroots.

According to him, APC members must go out to their wards, communities, friends and neighbours to explain the programmes and achievements of the APC administration.

‘We have a job to do. Every member of the party has a role to play in this campaign,’ he said.

Hamzat also called for unity among APC members, saying they would need to work collectively to secure Tinubu’s re-election and sustain his administration’s development efforts.

He said the party’s campaign should focus on engaging the people and communicating the administration’s policies and programmes effectively.

‘We cannot afford to sit back. We have to go out there and tell our people what has been done and what we intend to do.

‘We must work together as one family because there is a lot of work ahead of us,’ he said.

He urged members of the advisory council to remain committed to their assignment and work in the best interest of the party.

Hamzat expressed confidence in the ability of the APC to consolidate its programmes, saying the administration had undertaken measures aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.

He called on APC members to remain united and focused as preparations for the 2027 elections would be gathering momentum.

The Lagos APC campaign structure released by the Kadri Obafemi Hamzat Media Centre shows that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is Chairman of the party’s Advisory Council, with former governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode as Co-Chairmen.

At the campaign council level, Sanwo-Olu is also the Chairman, while Hamzat is Deputy Chairman.

Former Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro is Director-General, with Mr Rasaq Ajala as Deputy Director-General and Mr Adekunle Olayinka as the Secretary.

The structure comprises directorates and sub-committees covering areas including legal and compliance, party and inter-party affairs, administration and logistics, traditional institutions, diaspora engagement, and residents’ associations

Omo-Agege condemns disruption of NDC march in Delta

Former Deputy President of the Senate and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has condemned the disruption of the party’s One Million-Man March in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Omo-Agege described the incident as an unfortunate development and called on the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The march, led by the NDC governorship candidate, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, was organised as part of the party’s political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

Omo-Agege said the procession began after party supporters had gathered in Warri South Local Government Area before moving to other locations following discussions with security personnel.

He said the procession was disrupted at different points as it proceeded through parts of Warri and Uvwie.

Omo-Agege said several participants were injured during the incident and called for appropriate measures to prevent a recurrence.

He urged security agencies to ensure that political parties and their supporters are allowed to conduct lawful activities without disruption.

‘Delta State has seen enough of political violence. We must not return to the days when thugs determined who could campaign, where political parties could gather, or which political voices could be heard,’ he said.

Omo-Agege also appealed to Delta youths to shun violence and avoid being used to disrupt political activities.

He reaffirmed the NDC’s commitment to peaceful and issue-based campaigns across the state ahead of the 2027 elections.

Psychological first aid eyed for South Cotabato school community

The South Cotabato provincial government is considering deploying trained psychological first aider personnel to Banga National High School here.

The action is meant to help students, teachers and parents cope with the emotional impact of Friday’s shooting.

Rolly Doane Aquino, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said the intervention was being discussed by provincial officials following the incident at the school.

Aquino said the team can provide psychological first aid to students, particularly those affected by the shooting, while teachers and parents may also be included.

The psychological first aider crew had undergone training funded by the PDRRMO.

Aquino said some relatives of the victims were understandably emotional over the incident, which left some families grieving and others worried about their injured loved ones. ‘We understand what they are feeling, and we continue to support them emotionally,’ he said.

Aside from possible psychological intervention, the provincial government is assessing the immediate needs of the victims and their families.

Aquino mentioned that South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. went to the site of the shooting on Friday.

Meanwhile, Aquino had visited six patients confined in hospitals, and also went to funeral homes to check on the families of the fatalities.

Among the immediate concerns are the hospital expenses of victims who were transferred to private hospitals.

Aquino said patients admitted to the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital will receive free treatment, while the provincial government will also look into assistance for those being treated in private hospitals.

He said some initial assistance had already been extended to the affected families.

SBL embarks on multiple talent search competition

Tanzanian talents in singing, dancing, drawing and other creative fields have a new platform to showcase their abilities, with the winner of the second season of Nyota Bigi set to walk away with Sh15 million.

The competition, organised by Serengeti Breweries Limited through Serengeti Lite in partnership with Kunta Africa, aims to discover emerging talents from different parts of the country and give them an opportunity to build their profiles in the entertainment and creative industries.

Apart from the top prize, the second-placed contestant will receive Sh3 million, while the third-placed winner will take home Sh2 million.

The grand finale is scheduled for December 2026 in Dar es Salaam, following several stages of auditions and competition.

According to the organisers, the talent search will begin with auditions in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha, Dodoma and Mbeya, giving young people with different abilities an opportunity to showcase their talents.

The second season of Nyota Bigi is open to a wide range of talents, including singing, dancing, drawing, acting, comedy, creative arts, fashion and others.

Contestants must be 18 years or older, with 24 of the strongest performers from the preliminary stages selected to enter a boot camp. There, they will have an opportunity to develop their talents while competing for a place in the grand finale.

Speaking at the launch of the second season, Serengeti Breweries Marketing and Innovation Director Henry Esiaba said Nyota Bigi was designed to give young Tanzanians a platform to showcase talents that may otherwise remain undiscovered.

‘There are many talented people in every corner of the country, but sometimes what is missing is an opportunity to be seen. Nyota Bigi is here to give Tanzanian youth that platform,’ said Esiaba.

Meanwhile, the company’s Head of Beer, Rhona Namanya, said this season had been expanded to reach more regions, unlike the previous edition, which focused largely on Dar es Salaam.

‘This season, we are taking the auditions to other cities to reach more talented young people and ensure that we cover more parts of Tanzania,’ she said.

The competition is being held under Serengeti Lite’s Lite Your Imagination’ campaign, which encourages young people to believe in their abilities and use their talents as opportunities to build careers and livelihoods in the creative industry.

Plateau disowns viral message on intervention for farmers

Plateau Government has disowned a viral message, titled ‘Good news for our farmers on the Plateau’, claiming that farmers in the state have been directed to send their details to a private phone number to enable them benefit from intervention by government.

Plateau Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Peter Gai, the dismissed the claim in a statement on Friday in Jos.

He said the message which has been circulating on various WhatsApp groups directing farmers in the state to submit their personal details to a private phone number for an agricultural support programme as false.

The Plateau Commissioner affirmed that the message did not emanate from the ministry.

‘In all government interventions, registration of farmers and input distribution are not conducted through private Whatsapp numbers

‘The ministry conducts its activities through recognised and official channels, including agricultural departments in the various Local Government Areas (LGAs), extension agents and our office at the state secretariat,’ he said.

Gai advised farmers and the general public to disregard the message and desist from sharing personal information, bank details and BVN with fraudsters.

The commissioner urged farmers to verify information on Plateau government’s agricultural programmes from the ministry, State-owned radio stations or agriculture office in their LGAs.