Scarcity of cooking gas hits Lagos, vendors sell at N1,600 per kg

Residents of Lagos and Ogun communities on Wednesday, experienced scarcity of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, popularly known as cooking gas.

Most vendors that opened shops in some neighbourhoods jacked up the price by selling at N1,600 per kilogram instead of N1,150 per kg sold last week.

Lamenting the situation, Mrs Joke Banjo, a trader at Agege, said she was searching everywhere to refill her 12kg cylinder, but could not find any until she got to Ojodu.

According to her, most of the gas stations refused to open shops, assuming that it might be connected to the industrial action ordered by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

She said that the outlet she later discovered around Ojodu sold for most customers at N1,600 per kilogram.

Another woman, Mrs Adejoke Ibikunle, said there was a long quene for cooking gas in one of the gas stations in Ibafo despite the fact that it was sold for N1,500.

She said she managed to refill her 6kg cylinder before the station stopped selling due to long queue.

She expressed displeasure over the issue, wondering what would have happened to the supply of cooking gas.

Meanwhile, energy industry analyst, Yemisi Olagunju, has also raised the alarm that Nigeria may be on the verge of a domestic LPG supply crunch.

However, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), Mr Oladapo Olatunbosun, has expressed concern over the continued export of cooking gas from Nigeria despite the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas) pronouncing a ban on the practice, particularly by International Oil Companies (IOCs).

Speaking during the 2025 National LPG Conference and Exhibition in Lagos, Olatunbosun insisted that the minister’s directive must be enforced to stop the outflow of LPG from Nigeria.

‘The domestic market does not have sufficient volumes of gas, so there is no justification for exporting the product out of the country by the IOCs,’ the NALPGAM president said

He said IOCs have consistently argued that they lack the facilities to separate propane from butane, a requirement for making the product more suitable for domestic use.

According to him, these companies had previously requested a timeframe to put such facilities in place, yet there has been no enforcement or monitoring by government agencies to ensure compliance.

‘Companies prefer to export these products abroad to make more money,’ he said, stressing that the practice undermines Nigeria’s domestic LPG market, which still struggles with insufficient supply.

Olatunbosun, therefore, urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Minister of State for Gas to compel the IOCs to establish the required infrastructure for propane-butane separation.

The horrendous assault on seven-year-old in Bauchi

THE boundary between superstition and criminality is thin. That explains the case in Bauchi State where recently, a housewife, Zuwaira Ibrahim, was alleged to have inflicted severe burns on her seven-year-old sister-in-law over allegations of witchcraft. The victim was inflicted with severe burns around the lower part of her body, particularly her private parts. Media reports said the helpless girl was brutally burnt by her brother’s wife. After the housewife had successfully caught ‘the witch’, the victim of this criminality, and subjected her to extreme cruelty, life became a nightmare for the girl. Medical personnel handling the case at the emergency ward of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) have been battling to save her life. She is said to be currently writhing in pain. The scary but unfortunate incident occurred in Magama-Gumau in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

In her warped thinking, Zuwaira Ibrahim investigated and convicted the victim of witchcraft, then embarked on the process of extracting confession which led to the severe burns. According to a resident of the area, Kabiru Mohammed Abdulkadir, ‘Zuwaira’s child told her that she saw the victim amongst a group of witches and was taken to a man to confirm whether she really belongs to a witchcraft group. The man told them that she was not a witch but Zuwaira disagreed with the confirmation. They returned home and she then used a hot knife removed from the fire to burn her private parts, believing that if she is a real witch she won’t feel pain. However, it was the girl’s loud cries that attracted neighbours and when we got there, we saw the situation and insisted that the case be reported to police immediately.’ Pictures and videos of the little girl’s badly burnt body are scary to look at. Medical personnel at ATBUTH indicated that the wounds might have been infected.

This case is yet another one in a long list of crimes committed by persons who are too engrossed in the metaphysical to bother with the precepts of modernity. The Bauchi incident is a vivid case of trial by ordeal, a crime punishable under the law. The incident is bestial and should ideally never be replicated in any human society. What makes the case more ludicrous is that it is almost impossible for Zuwaira Ibrahim to demonstrate that the young girl is a witch. The question is, what method of verification did she use? How empirical was it? Even if she could prove this obviously unverifiable claim, who appointed her as the trial judge in this matter?

When people are at a loss on the particular provinces of the physical and the supernatural, it is this manner of contradiction that comes to play. Zuwaira Ibrahim is apparently unable to delineate the boundaries of the two very consequential provinces. Because she appointed herself unto a task that modernity does not give her, she necessarily has to face the music. No one is allowed to take the law into their own hands and punish people they unilaterally consider evil or wicked. If any society allows this level of absurdity, that society is on the verge of collapse.

We plead that the medics attending to the young girl should do everything in their power to ensure that she recovers from her grievous ordeal. Her future must, as it were, be retrieved from Zuwaira Ibrahim’s flaming fire. Also, the witch-catcher should be made to face the full wrath of the law so as to serve as a deterrent to other lawless persons who might want to appoint themselves as accusers, trial judge and officers of the penitentiary in similar cases. Come to think of it, how is such grievous punishment inflicted on the young girl the cure for witchcraft? What is witchcraft and how does a witch get verified as one? How does anyone convincingly link witches with cases of evil deeds? These questions may never be clearly answered. The entire scenario points to acute ignorance and gross criminality. The suspect caged herself in the prison walls she built for her mind, and must be held accountable for her crime. Justice must be done and be seen to be done in this case.

We suggest that in communities where there is still a nostalgic connect to stone age thinking like Zuwaira Ibrahim’s, the government, especially local governments, must make serious attempts de-radicalise people’s minds from such crippling thoughts. This will go a long way in purging such people of their warped mindset and free society from the violent grip of people who lend their minds to the devil in committing such heinous crimes. Modern society cannot afford to harbour such persons.

Nigeria’s economy regaining strength under Tinubu – Lagos lawmaker

As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence Anniversary, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Temitope Adedeji, has praised Nigerians for their resilience and urged them to sustain their trust in the government of President Bola Tinubu to continue meeting the yearnings of the people.

In a statement issued by his media office on Wednesday to commemorate the anniversary, Adewale, who represents Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency I, said Nigeria was entering its 66th year in a better position than in most of the years since Independence.

According to him, the Federal Government has successfully placed the country on the right footing, and citizens would soon begin to see the results of the reforms introduced in the economy.

‘The President has further rekindled our spirits with the Independence Day address, in which he reeled out the achievements of his administration in just two years and a few months. Globally respected economic analysts and experts have confirmed that we are moving in the right direction. We have left the most challenging phase of economic growth. We are seeing steady improvements in the GDP while inflation continues to drop. These are clear signals that our country is on the right path,’ Adewale said.

While urging Nigerians to continue supporting the Federal Government, he also called on state governors to prioritise people-oriented programmes and policies, alongside improvements in infrastructure.

‘This is one of the best ways they can justify the allocations to the states, which have increased tremendously under President Tinubu’s administration,’ he added.

TheNetClan graduates’ women in CCNA, pushes for inclusion in tech

The NetClan Initiative has achieved another milestone in its quest to promote gender inclusion in technology with the graduation of its second cohort of the Ladies in Network Engineering (LINE) programme, with the majority of participants became Cisco Certified Network Associates (CCNA).

Founded by Abigail Jeffiah and Theodore Chukwudi, the initiative aims to provide opportunities for aspiring network engineers, particularly women, to establish careers in a field often overshadowed by software development and cyber-security.

‘There was no platform where network engineers could motivate each other to upskill,’ Jeffiah explained.

‘We observed more individuals leaving network engineering for other fields, creating a gap, because at the end of the day, every organisation requires a network engineer. That is why we started NetClan-to build that missing community.’

According to Jeffiah, the initiative has steadily grown, with over 30 women sponsored for certification exams since its inception. In the recently concluded cohort, more than 20 participants received full sponsorship, while others were provided vouchers covering up to 50 percent of their exam fees.

‘Seeing another set of students graduate means a lot to me personally,’ she said.

‘This initiative is dear to my heart because, as a female network engineer, I was often the only woman in technical workshops. Now, more women are embracing the field, and we are changing the narrative.’

For Emmanuel Samuel, one of the instructors, the achievement of the cohort reflects the power of mentorship and inclusivity.

‘This milestone is highly significant because it signifies the growing inclusion of women in a field traditionally dominated by men,’ he noted.

‘Seeing a majority of women succeed as CCNA holders demonstrates that, with the right support and opportunities, women can thrive in technology,’ he added.

Graduates of the programme also attested to its impact. Network Security Engineer Odoh Ifunanya JaneFrances described her experience as transformative.

‘I joined because I wanted to understand the underlying operations of networking, especially after failing a job interview,’ she said.

‘Through this program, I gained more than I expected, and it played a key role in helping me land my first job. My advice to aspiring students is that joining NetClan might be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make in your career.’

Other facilitators highlighted the distinct contributions of women in the cohort. Ketcha Karen, a network and network security engineer, praised the collaboration and openness that defined the class.

‘The women demonstrated remarkable teamwork, consistency, and confidence,’ she observed.

‘When women publicly share their achievements, it inspires others to join and assures them they won’t be isolated. That sense of belonging can break barriers in tech.’

Mayaki Ujeh Emmanuel, a network operations engineer, explained that his teaching approach for the second cohort went beyond theory, emphasizing real-world application. ‘Networking is more than configuration and labs. I pushed the ladies to also understand sales, which exposes beginners to different technologies,’ he said.

‘We also gave group projects to build teamwork because, in reality, they will always have to work with others.’

On the value of CCNA, he added: ‘Though it is entry-level, CCNA amplifies knowledge in networking and is highly recognized across the IT industry.’

Mentorship was another key pillar of the programme. Olumayowa Akinkuehinmi, one of the mentors, described it as a fulfilling experience.

How Arise TV anchor died, by neighbours

Neighbours of the Somtochukwu Maduagwu, the presenter with Arise News channel, who died during a robbery attack at her residence in Katampe, Abuja. in the early hours of Monday, have narrated how she died.

One of them, Ejiro Okpihwo, the organiser of the most beautiful girl in Abuja beauty pageant, who lives on the ground floor of the house, said the robbers came to their premises about 2:55 am, broke doors and attacked them. He contacted the Divisional Police Officer around 3am. He also called the OC Surveillance of the Mabuchi Police Station.

Surprisingly, Okpihwo said, the police got to the scene in less than 10 minutes, but by then the robbers, using a car from their house, had escaped.

‘But they passed the criminals on the road. The robbers were up to 14. The police saw three cars in convoy going left, but they were coming from right. They did not see the robbers. The lady was supposed to marry in December. She’s gone. I will not lie to you, the Nigerian Police did their best, they could have done that day, but hospitals never did the right thing.

‘She was not raped, she was not shot, we saw the wounds on her head, we saw the wounds where she hit her head in one of those pavements here. Immediately, Somtochuwkwu jumped and hit her head, and the armed robbers left. They left, because the fear is there, the fear, the tension. The robbers are heartless.

‘Immediately the girl landed on the floor with her head, fear engraved in the environment. This house and the other house were not robbed, because the house was already open for them to rob. They left her things – phone, etc.”

At the hospital, he said the workers asked for a police re

Gritty Rivers Hoopers sink Comets despite shaky start

Rivers Hoopers showed grit and composure to defeat Ebun Comets 65-49 and take a third win from as many games at the ongoing Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) Phase Two.

After a slow start, the defending champions picked up the pace to lead by five points at the end of the first quarter with the score at 19-14.

However, the second quarter was one to forget, as the KingsMen could only manage nine (9) points (their lowest tally for an entire quarter), and Comets scored double the points with eighteen (18). This meant the hosts would trail at halftime for the first time this season, as the score was 32-28 in favour of Comets.

Speaking during his post-game interview, Rivers Hoopers Head Coach Ogoh Odaudu admitted to his team’s slow start.

‘I think we started badly. I noticed before jump ball [that] the body attitude was not convincing; there was no energy at all. Everything was flat. That was why we struggled, and that’s something I have to work on.’

The KingsMen returned from the halftime break eager to prove a point and quickly regained the lead, with vice-captain Buchi Nwaiwu firing from deep for a three-point lead which the defending champions maintained as the score stood at 46-43 entering the fourth.

Rivers Hoopers closed out the game with a nearly flawless performance in the fourth, which pleased Odaudu, as they notched up nineteen (19) points while limiting Comets to a meagre six (6) points the entire quarter to wrap up the encounter 65-49.

‘Basketball is about stopping your opponent from scoring, not how many baskets you make.’ I emphasised a lot about the defence, and they came, and they did it perfectly,’ he said.

Up next for the KingsMen is a date with Lagos Legends, who are also unbeaten through the Phase Two games played so far, and with both teams already assured of their spots in the Playoffs Phase of the league (last eight), Odaudu said it will be a clash of egos, but one which he will treat like any other game.

‘It will be treated just like any other game.’ We’re going to do the same thing we always do, nothing different. It’s going to be a very intense game tomorrow because nobody wants to be beaten. It’s an ego battle right now, [and] we don’t want to disappoint our fans here at home. So we’re going to come all out and hopefully take the win,’ he stated.

The game between Rivers Hoopers and Lagos Legends will take place by 5pm on Thursday, at the Indoor Basketball Court, 59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township.

Umahi: It’s a moment of reflection

Works Minister Dave Umahi also congratulated Nigerians and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the country’s 65th Independence anniversary. Umahi described the occasion as a moment for reflection on the nation’s past struggles and present progress.

Umahi said Independence Day serves as a reminder of Nigeria’s founding fathers’ sacrifices and vision, while inspiring citizens to commit to building a more united and prosperous nation.

He praised President Tinubu’s leadership, noting that the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ had repositioned Nigeria on the development path.

First Baptist Church holds gratitude festival

Amid the prevailing economic hardship and social uncertainty in the country, First Baptist Church, Ikeja has launched annual Moments of Gratitude programme, designed to inspire hope and strengthen resilience through thanksgiving.

The event, which runs every Sunday throughout October, features gospel music, testimonies and cultural expressions.

The organisers said the month-long celebration was aimed at helping people focus on God’s mercies and finding encouragement despite life’s challenges.

Host pastor, Rev. Kolawole Ogokunle, said the church decided to dedicate October to gratitude as a reminder of God’s blessings in families, careers and businesses.

‘Our decision to dedicate October to gratitude comes from looking at our lives and seeing God’s mercy,’ he said. ‘This year’s celebration is both thanksgiving and a prayer for more testimonies.’

The festival will feature performances by Prevailers Voices, Tobi Akuraku, Lilian Nneji and the Prevailers Praise Team, while the final Sunday will be marked with a cultural thanksgiving service, allowing participants to celebrate their faith and heritage.

Church Secretary, Oluleye Ademola, in a statement, noted that the services would also be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube to accommodate those unable to attend physically.

‘Gratitude is more than just saying thanks; it is fuel for future,’ Rev. Ogokunle said. ‘It gives us strength to keep moving forward in our families, our work and our daily struggles.’

Soyinka: why I accepted renaming of National Arts Theatre after me

Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka yesterday explained why he accepted the renaming of the National Theatre, Lagos after him.

He said he never believed that the monument could ever be revamped.

He admitted that he accepted the honour with mixed feelings, despite being a critic of many past leaders, who appropriated public monuments.

‘I have to stand up in public and watch my name being put up as yet another appropriator. It just didn’t seem very well for me,’ the literary giant said.

Soyinka, who spoke at the reopening of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts (formerly National Arts Theatre, Iganmu Lagos), said he accepted to eat his words if the monumental turn-around of the theatre complex is what he would get in return.

He explained that before the renovation of the edifice, he thought it was irredeemable, but the Bankers’ Committee ‘made me eat my words.”

He said the Bankers’ Committee had done a great job and brought the edifice to global standards. He said that with the recreation of the edifice, Nigerians can now watch Africa Theatre at home instead of travelling abroad.

The Bankers’ Committee committed N68 billion into the project.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the occasion directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to float a National Arts Theatre Endowment Fund to ensure the maintenance of the national edifice.

Soyinka said: ‘And one of the reasons was I nearly electrocuted two of my actors. That is how they crept into my car. The roofs were leaking, so the pools of water were everywhere. And of course, there were electric wires also.

‘One other reason is nostalgia. I remember this building when it was first erected, when we did it originally. I think we called it General’s Hat, because of the shape of the roof. There’s a constant re-conception very little of what I call the African architectural intelligence in it.

‘Then there’s another reason why I thought I should accept.

Well, I was already ambushed. They shaved my head behind me. I would have raised a squawk. But, then I decided, this building belongs to me. It belongs to me.’

Tinubu directs CBN to float National Theatre Endowment Fund

The promised to contribute to the endowment fund.

Among the prominent persons at the event were First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, who coordinated the Bankers’ Committee, Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi, who is a former CBN governor; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.

President Tinubu said there was no controversy in the National Theatre being renamed, adding that he considered Prof Soyinka’s contributions to the arts and culture.

‘Prof. Wole Soyinka is one of the greatest assets of the world. So, the renaming could not have gone to anyone else,’ he said.

The President advised Nigerians to stop talking negatively about the country.

‘Let us all come together to rebuild Nigeria. The youth should also renew their hope in Nigeria and work together for its continued greatness,’ he said.

Cardoso said the Bankers Committee was committed to spending N68 billion in remodelling the edifice.

‘The Central Bank of Nigeria, the Bankers’ Committee, the Lagos State Government, and the Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy came together with a shared purpose to deliver this national project, with the Bankers’ Committee alone committing approximately N68 billion, not as corporate social responsibility but as a deliberate investment in Nigeria’s cultural future,’ Cardoso said.

He said that the project stands as proof that when the public and private sectors unite behind a shared national purpose, there is no limit to what Nigeria can achieve.

The CBN boss stated that 65 years after our nation’s founding, Nigeria’s creative spirit remains alive, pervasive and shaping global culture.

‘This edifice has stood for nearly half a century as a proud symbol of our heritage. Completed in 1976 and inaugurated at FESTAC ’77, it became a beacon of African creativity and a repository of our shared history,’ he said.

Cardoso explained that by renaming the National Arts Theatre as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in July 2024, ”President Tinubu charted a bold course to place creativity at the heart of Nigeria’s renaissance.’

Cardoso explained that the Wole Soyinka Centre is more than a renovation; it is a rebirth.

‘Its iconic silhouette has been preserved while delivering world-class performance halls, cinema spaces, exhibition galleries, an African literature library, rehearsal rooms, media and medical facilities, and fully modernised infrastructure. The surrounding grounds now offer gardens, outdoor exhibition areas, upgraded access, and seamless integration with the Lagos Blue Line rail, placing culture at the heart of city life,’ he said.

Faith-based, civil society bodies, govt agencies chart path to family integration

Stakeholders drawn from government agencies, faith-based organisations, civil society and child welfare institutions have reaffirmed their commitment to promote family integration and holistic support for vulnerable children during a two-day Collaborate+ Lagos 2025 Forum at the Bimbo Odukoya Foundation Centre, Ilupeju.

The conference, themed: ‘Promoting Family Integration and Holistic Support for Every Child,’ was convened by the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) in collaboration with the Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria (ASHON), Lagos State Chapter.

It served as a rallying platform for dialogue and partnership on how to address family separation, child neglect, and systemic challenges facing caregivers in Lagos State.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Lagos State Government, Mrs. Adenike Obilana, a director at the Ministry of Youth and Social Development (MYSD), reaffirmed the state’s commitment to inclusive welfare under its T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda.

Mrs. Obilana, who represented the Commissioner, Mr. Bolaji Dunde, noted that the government recognised the family as the cornerstone of society and stressed that sustainable child protection required collective responsibility.

‘Vulnerable children need more than compassion – they need collective action, intentional policy, and unwavering support,’ she stated.

A major highlight of the event was the panel session on tackling the roots of family separation, featuring speakers from diverse professional backgrounds.

Executive Director of the Office of Life Care, Women and Children Empowerment Initiative, Pastor Kingsley Kalu, lamented that poverty, unemployment and domestic strife remain leading causes of family breakdown in Nigeria. He urged faith-based institutions to go beyond charity and offer structured family counselling, skill acquisition and social support to restore dignity and stability to homes.

Similarly, Director of Christian Education at the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Reverend Dr. (Mrs.) Foluke Bosede Ola, focused on the wellbeing of caregivers, stressing that mental exhaustion and emotional burnout can lead to reduced quality of care. According to her, caregivers need more institutional support and recognition.

‘A burnt-out caregiver cannot nurture children effectively. Mental balance, rest, and counselling are essential for quality child care,’ she said.

Executive Director of Denny School Welfare Hub, Mrs. Abosede Mary Otukpe, emphasised the role of parenting education in family resilience. She explained that intentional parenting, effective communication, and empathy are vital in preventing neglect and abuse.

Her remarks drew attention to the growing need for capacity-building workshops for both parents and caregivers.

On the government’s part, Mr. Alufa Wellington Olalekan, representing the MYSD, revealed that Lagos currently operates 23 Family Social Services Centres across the state. These centres, he said, offer counselling, conflict mediation and intervention in domestic crises. Early intervention, he added, often prevents permanent family separation and institutionalisation of children.

The legal dimension was explored by Barrister Adora Ochulali of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, who advocated stronger access to justice for vulnerable families. She noted that legal protection is crucial for fair treatment in cases of custody, domestic violence and child rights violations. Her call for better synergy between social workers, law enforcement, and courts received strong applause from participants.

Adding a community perspective, Mrs. Bridget Taremotimi of Women at risk International Foundation (WRIES) and Mrs. Bamiduro Adeola Atinuke of CPM Ojoju LCDA both emphasised collaboration among community leaders, NGOs, and faith groups. They highlighted how community-based awareness programmes can help identify.