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In crisis situations, there are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). These are hapless victims of whatever crisis befell their communities and forced them to leave; they are usually the responsibility of government to care for till peace returns to their troubled homesteads and they get resettled back. Not so with Failed Doomsday Displaced Persons (FDDPs). These are people who chose to believe a lie and self-dislocated their own lives – not because of external aggression but from inner delusion. Anyone in this category cannot hope for government to rehabilitate them. They are on their own.

It is one week now since the failed prediction of a date for the biblical ‘rapture,’ and those taken in are ruing their self-dispossession in gullible anticipation of an escape from the earth. Rapture is an end-time event by which believers in the Christian faith expect to be supernaturally translocated from the terrestrial plane ahead of a coming period of intense suffering, known as the Tribulation, by those left behind. This event in biblical narrative will mark the second coming of Jesus Christ.

South African preacher, Pastor Joshua Mhlakela, recently gained worldwide attention after he claimed Jesus appeared to him in a vision and said he would return during the Jewish Feast of Trumpets, also known as Rosh Hashanah, which held between 22nd and 24th September. ‘The rapture is upon us, whether you are ready or not, the rapture will happen in 14 days from now,’ Mhlakela had told a YouTube channel, adding: ‘I’m a billion percent sure that we are going to see the Lord, the rapture is going to happen. I don’t know how to assure you, but I give you a billion percent that it is going to happen. The date of the 23rd, which is going to be the rapture of the church, is irrefutable and final.’

On the day predicted by Mhlakela, videos showed hundreds of people gathered in woods, waiting to be taken up. The preacher himself went live online, joined by some followers, declaring with confidence that the rapture was imminent. After several hours passed without anything happening, Mhlakela said, ‘I wonder how God works this out. What I know is that it will happen within these two days, but I cannot tell how He arranges the minutes and the seconds, because at any moment something could happen.’ He urged his followers to be patient and hopeful.

Those who believed Mhlakela had taken steps to sign out from planet earth. Social media platforms were flooded with videos from devastated persons who were so convinced doomsday was coming they resigned their jobs and gave away prized possessions. Tilahun Desalegn, an Australian, shared a clip of his car being towed away, saying: ‘I won’t need her beyond September, because I’m going home.’ Kingsalem Igwe, a self-identified Nigerian prophet, said in a video shared on TikTok: ‘I’m here with all humility to apologise to everyone. I only believed a man who claimed Jesus told him.’ Others were seen sobbing over the failed prediction, lamenting that they now had to go back to work. Well, they’re in good time to wake up to the smell of coffee!

It is not for nothing that Nigerians have generally welcomed the reduction of the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) from 27.5 per cent to 27 percent at the committee’s 302nd meeting last week. Although it was something that Nigerians had long hoped for in the last few years, the exigencies of the economy had made it practically unrealistic.

According to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Yemi Cardoso, the MPC decision was underpinned by ‘sustained disinflation recorded in the past five months, projections of declining inflation for the rest of 2025, and the need to support economic recovery efforts.’

In other words, the time was finally right.

Among other reasons, he noted that headline inflation had slowed to 20.12 per cent in August from 21.88 per cent in July. Food inflation, he also reported, fell to 21.87 per cent from 22.74 per cent, while core inflation eased to 20.33 per cent from 21.33 per cent.

On a month-to-month basis, inflation dropped sharply to 0.74 per cent in August compared with 1.99 per cent in July.

There were other notable decisions. The MPC also adjusted the Standing Facilities corridor around the MPR to +250/-250 basis points to improve the efficiency of the interbank market and strengthen monetary policy transmission. The committee further introduced a 75 per cent Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on non-TSA public sector deposits for enhanced liquidity management.

For commercial banks, this was adjusted to 45 per cent while retaining that of merchant banks at 16 per cent. The Liquidity Ratio was left unchanged at 30.00 per cent.

Said he of the cut in MPR: ‘This reduction is the first under my leadership and the first in five years’; noting that ‘the last time the MPC cut its policy rate was in September 2020 when it dropped from 12.5 per cent to 11.5 per cent.

As would be expected, members of the organised private sector see the reduction as not only ‘marginal but insufficient to ease the credit squeeze on their businesses’. For Nigerians as a whole, it seems unlikely that they would be particularly enthusiastic about any cut short of returning the reference rate to a single digit.

Here, Nigerians would recall occasions in the past where suggestions were actually made in some quarters that the rate be legislated by fiat!

While varied positions on the subject would seem understandable, they merely highlight the misconceptions about the CBN’s role, particularly its dilemma in its statutory role of keeping inflation under control while ensuring unimpeded growth on one hand, and the daily frustrations of economic actors who have businesses to run, and must do it competitively under a constantly looming shadow of foreclosure, on the other.

In all of these, we cannot but commend Cardoso and his team for keeping admirably calm, while keeping their eyes on the ball.

For us, however, good as the trend is, the work has only begun. In fact, there is still much to be done to get the economy back to full recovery. Liquidity management remains a huge challenge even more so now that state treasuries are literally awash with Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) cash.

We expect the apex bank to continue to keep a keen eye on the monster of inflation to prevent a relapse to the immediate past. As for interest rates, we expect things to moderate a bit to reflect the trend.

On the whole, we urge the state governments in particular to focus on those expenditures that could engender real growth in the economy; surely the time for bogus expenditures should belong in the past.

If anything, the expectation is for both the fiscal and monetary authorities to continue to work together to deliver on growth that Nigerians can truly be proud.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said 6,232,673 eligible Nigerians have completed the pre-registration process on its online registration portal at the end of the sixth week of the exercise.

The commission said 3,250,338, representing 52.15 per cent, are women, while 2,982,335, representing 47.85 per cent, are men, and 137,865 are persons living with disability.

INEC said 1,004,132 Nigerians have so far participated in the physical (in-person) registration. Of the figure, 555,077 registrants, representing 55.28 per cent, are women, while 449,055, representing 44.72 per cent, are men.

The figures are contained in the statistics on the registration, which INEC released yesterday in Abuja.

The statistics revealed that the Southwest and the Northwest have maintained the lead in the Online Continuous Voter Registration and the in-person registration.

It also showed that while Borno State took the lead in the online registration with about 682,805 eligible voters registering online at the end of Week Six, Osun State took the lead in the in-person registration at the end of Week Five (the online exercise began one week before the in-person exercise) with 107,012 voters completing their registration.

According to the statistics, the Southwest has 1,924,072 eligible voters who registered online, followed by the Northwest with 1,728,144 eligible voters; the Northeast is third with 1,197,510 registrants; and the Northcentral is fourth with 967,518 eligible voters.

The Southsouth is fifth with 334,578 eligible voters, and the Southeast is sixth with 81,478 eligible voters.

The Northwest tops the list of the in-person registrants with 277,786 eligible voters completing the exercise, followed by the Southwest with 252,281; the Northcentral with 155,953; the Northeast with 144,437; the Southsouth with 105,108, and the Southeast with 67,745 eligible voters.

The state-by-state breakdown of the online registration revealed that Borno has registered 682,805, followed by Osun with 599,363 voters, Lagos with 555,442 voters, Kebbi with 472,662, while Ogun and Kaduna have registered 450,897 and 376,054 voters .

Osun State is first in the physical registration with 107,012 voters completing their registration, followed by Lagos with 58,460; Borno with 56,828; Kano with 54,145; Sokoto with 48,430; Imo with 47,083, and Kogi with 41,257 voters.

The statistics for Anambra State are not included in the two exercises since the state will be part of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) until after the November 8 governorship elections.

Former British diplomat Mr David Roberts has joined forces with the Federal Government to dismiss the reports of genocide against Christians in the country as false.

Roberts, who served for many years as a director of the British Council in Abuja, stated that the country’s security challenges had been exaggerated by Western interest groups and the media.

He warned against escalating the situation with such inaccurate reports.

In a statement, Roberts said: ‘Yes, there are security challenges in Nigeria, but those issues have affected the country from the pre-colonial, colonial, and now the post-colonial periods,’ he stated, adding, ‘Ample evidence exists to show that the Nigerian government is de-escalating the violence.’

Based on a viral video in which a man with a Nigerian accent claimed that over 500,000 Christians were killed in the country last year, Mr Bill Maher, a comedian who hosts the longest-running talk show in the US, Real Time with Bill Maher, asserted that a systematic genocide was happening in Nigeria.

The offensive video was circulated by international X influencers, including Radio Genoa, an anti-Islamic personality, who stokes negative sentiments against the Muslim faith.

However, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, and a former presidential aide, Mr Reno Omokri, on Sunday refuted the claims as false.

Roberts upheld Idris’ and Omokri’s rebuttals and contended that the genocide reports were skewed. He explained that both the Christian and Muslim faiths are victims of the age-long violence.

He stated: ‘I lived in Nigeria as a British diplomat and toured the entire country. It is ridiculous for anyone even to suggest that half a million people were killed as part of a genocide against Christians in Nigeria by Muslims last year alone. ‘

‘And this is not just some Christian genocide. In fact, more Muslims are killed in these attacks in Nigeria than Christians – a fact highlighted by the Institute for Economics and Peace in their annual Global Terrorism Index.’

The former diplomat explained that insecurity in Nigeria had worsened due to the crisis in the Sahel, with the fall of democratic governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

According to Roberts, ‘As these countries typically share a border with the Northwest and Northeast of Nigeria, which are the Islamic heartlands, it has meant that Muslims have borne the brunt of the situation more than Christians, which is not to say Christians are not affected.’

He urged Western nations and their media to be mindful of the reportage in order not to ignite a crisis that will result in a greater flood of refugees from West Africa turning up in Europe through the Mediterranean.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan is free to enter the 2027 presidential race, the Presidency said yesterday.

It however argued that Nigerians will judge the former leader on what it described as a ‘dismal’ record in office and compare his tenure with what it called the ‘giant economic strides’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency blamed the early presidential campaign on those angling to unseat the incumbent.

The Presidency spoke on a day that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ruled out its automatic 2027 presidential ticket to the former president, describing him (Jonathan) as one of the ‘numerous options’ on its radar.

The Presidency said the early jostling for 2027 had been prematurely foisted on the nation by the desperation of the opposition ganging up against President Bola Tinubu,’ Onanuga said in the statement, dismissing recent political rhetoric as ‘a cacophony of voices, most of them full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.’

The statement singled out former Information Minister, Prof Jerry Gana, over his reported move to draft Jonathan into the 2027 presidential contest on PDP platform, which it described as ‘discredited’ and responsible for ‘a legacy of economic ruins after 16 years of bad governance.’

According to the Presidency, Gana ‘is free to delude himself and engage in his usual comedy,’ adding that Jonathan’s entry would ‘provide another job’ for the former university don.

Jonathan, according to sources, has intensified consultations on his ambition to return to power in 2027.

He was defeated in 2015 by former President Muhammadu Buhari in a historic election that was a referendum on his performance in the highest office.

In the past few weeks, the former president was said to have visited former military President Ibrahim Babangida in Minna, the Niger State capital, and the Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic congress (ADC), Senator David Mark.

Party sources said one of the conditions he gave to the ADC is that he should be the anointed presidential candidate at the primary, with no aspirant competing for the ticket with him.

Despite his consultations with other leaders, his wife, a source said, has maintained her position that since President Tinubu supported him in the 2011 poll, it is fair to return the gesture by supporting his second term in 2027.

Acknowledging Jonathan’s right to seek office, the Presidency said: ‘It is his inalienable right to contest the presidency again, but any such bid would face judicial scrutiny.

‘The jury will determine whether Jonathan, who was sworn in twice as president, satisfies the constitutional requirements and is eligible to contest the presidency and be sworn in, if successful, for a third term in office.’

The Presidency cautioned Jonathan to be ‘wary of the PDP sugar-coated cheerleaders,’ alleging that figures ‘of Jerry Gana’s ilk’ sought to lure him into the race for ‘personal, political, religious, and ethnic interests,’ and would ‘abandon him midstream, as they did in 2015.’

Recounting its view of Jonathan’s tenure, the statement said the administration ‘engaged in frivolous spending, ran the economy aground and put the country in dire straits,’ claiming that key indicators declined and that ‘the nation’s economic downturn. actually began under President Jonathan’.

It alleged that some business moguls ‘allocated foreign exchange to import fuel, simply pocketing the dollars without importing anything,’ and that some still face court cases.

It also accused Jonathan and his then National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), of distributing security funds to ‘friends and cronies.’

Citing figures, the Presidency said Jonathan in 2010 inherited $66 billion ($46 billion in foreign reserves and $20 billion in the Excess Crude Account (ECA), but left foreign reserves ‘below $30 billion’ and the ECA ‘depleted to $2 billion’ by 2015 ‘despite generating record revenue from crude oil sales’.

It noted that oil price averaged about $100 per barrel between 2010 and 2013, yet by December 2014 ‘the Federal Government could no longer pay salaries to Federal Civil Servants,’ while ‘at least 28 states’ owed workers arrears.

By contrast, the statement said: ‘President Tinubu has taken bold decisions over the last 28 months to reset the economy, removing fuel subsidy and abolishing multiple exchange rates that paved the way for arbitrage.’

It listed reported gains: Q2 2025 GDP growth of 4.23%, ‘the highest in four years’ and above the IMF’s 3.4% projection; inflation ‘decreased to 20.12% in August 2025, the lowest level in three years’; foreign reserves at ‘$42.03 billion’; and a ‘virtually stabilised’ naira.

‘Investor confidence. has been restored, and investors are betting on Nigeria,’ it added.

Beyond macroeconomic indicators, the statement said the ‘nation has turned the corner’ and citizens are ‘reaping the gains’ of reforms.

It highlighted roads being rebuilt and new ones ‘springing up,’ listing the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, and said the government was ‘addressing security issues in some parts of the country.’

‘The PDP and Jerry Gana’s co-travellers broke the economy; President Tinubu is fixing it,’ the Presidency declared, insisting Jonathan ‘will also have his encounter with the people as to whether he has anything new to offer after his disastrous six years, for which they voted him out in 2015.

‘President Jonathan and others are welcome to the 2027 race. They broke the economy before, but millions of Nigerians who will not easily forget the recent past will not allow them to return to run it down again.’

A Nigerian biochemist, Dr. Oluwafemi Adeleke Ojo, is putting familiar food on a serious scientific footing. In his peer-reviewed work titled ‘Exploring beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) for diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease dual therapy’. His team revealed how the use of modern laboratory assays and computer simulations to reveal the natural compounds of beetroot can affect multiple biological targets relevant to both type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.

The research does not claim a cure; however it lays out a rigorous, step-by-step route from garden plants to standardized, testable health products.

The kind that can be studied in clinical trials, priced affordably, and made locally to international standards.

Why this research and why now?

Nigeria faces a growing burden of diabetes, with complications that damage the kidneys, liver, eyes, and nerves. As Nigeria’s population ages, the prevalence of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, is expected to rise as well.

Many families struggle with limited access to specialist care and the high cost of long-term medicines.

At the same time, Nigeria has rich biodiversity and a population that already trusts medicinal plants.

Dr. Ojo’s motivation was simple and urgent: can we apply top-tier science to familiar plants so that, where appropriate, they become safe, standardized, affordable adjuncts to care rather than guesswork?

What the beetroot study actually did:

Dr. Ojo’s research team tested beetroot via a two-pronged approach –

In vitro pharmacology: Laboratory assays against key diabetes carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes (such as a-amylase and a-glucosidase, which drive postmeal sugar spikes) and Alzheimer’s-relevant targets (such as cholinesterase and monoamine oxidases linked to memory and cognition) were performed.

Computational modeling: Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were then used to determine whether beetroot flavonoids can bind stably to those targets under realistic conditions.

The results revealed that certain beetroot compounds consistently engaged multiple targets across both diseases, providing a dual-therapy rationale.

This suggests that beetroot can be prioritized for further development not because it is ‘natural’ but because its chemistry maps to the biology we care about.

What does this mean for health care in Nigeria?

Affordable adjunctive therapy, not miracle cures. Standardized beetroot extracts, if proven safe and effective in human studies, could help smooth postmeal blood sugar spikes and support brain health pathways, complementing (not replacing) doctor-prescribed treatments.

Instead of buying random ‘herb mixes,’ people could access labeled, batch-consistent products with known doses and safety information.

Nigeria can cultivate beetroot and other validated plants under good agricultural and collection practices (GAC), process them in NAFDAC-inspected facilities, and create jobs from farm to laboratory to pharmacy.

What the Federal Government can do right now

What the government can do right now includes the following:

1) Create a translational botanical fund under TETFund/NRF to move promising candidates (compounds) through:

Standardization (marker compounds, batch specs),

Early safety (toxicology screens),

Pilot clinical trials (Phase I/II trials with clear metabolic and cognitive endpoints).

2) Regional laboratories with core equipment, bioassays, stability testing, and small-scale good manufacturing practices are suitable for pilot batches.

This cuts costs and delays for universities, start-ups, and SMEs.

3) Issue clear guidance on marker-based specifications, stability, cleaning validation, and documentation, so research teams know exactly how to prepare for human studies and, ultimately, product registration.

4) Fix procurement bottlenecks by providing FX windows and customs support for research reagents and equipment, with oversight to ensure transparency and performance.

5) Back Export-Ready Grants that help projects meeting international standards (GMP, validated analytics, ethical sourcing) scale for regional and global markets and health and nonoil revenue in one policy move.

The bigger picture

Dr. Ojo’s beetroot work is not about replacing doctors with vegetables. It is about meeting Nigerians where we are with science strong enough to turn what’s familiar into something safe, standardized, and genuinely helpful. With targeted government support and smart industry partnerships, Nigeria can move from talking about natural products to making world-class products that are good for patients, good for researchers, and good for the economy.

Indeed, Dr. Ojo is a Nigerian scholar whose career spans almost two decades. His academic journey began with a strong foundation in biochemistry. He earned his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in first-class honors from Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria, in 2010. This early achievement set the stage for a distinguished career marked by continuous learning and specialization. He furthered in his education by obtaining a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Biochemistry from Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, in 2015. His doctoral studies culminated in a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, in 2019. This comprehensive educational background equipped him with a deep understanding of biochemical principles and research methodologies, forming the bedrock of his future contributions.

Dr. Ojo’s career trajectory reflects a steady ascent through academic ranks, marked by increasing responsibilities and influence. He is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Turku, Finland. He served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at Bowen University, Nigeria, before his postdoctoral appointment.

Additionally, he lectured at the Department of Biochemistry, College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State and Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, where he began his academic career in 2011. His dedication to academia extends beyond teaching, as evidenced by his role as Head of Department, Project and Seminar Coordinator for both undergraduates and postgraduates, Academic Adviser, a member of the research committee and a member of the accreditation committee, among others, who dovetails with his editorial roles for journals such as PLOS ONE, Biomed Research International and Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

His commitment to education is further highlighted by his successful supervision of both undergraduate and postgraduate students to date, underscoring his role in nurturing young talent and guiding it through their initial scientific endeavors. Dr. Ojo’s teaching portfolio includes a range of specialized courses, such as Introduction to Molecular Biology, Tissue Biochemistry and Immunochemistry, Introduction to Biotechnology, Hormonal Biochemistry, and Advanced Plant Biochemistry, among others, demonstrating his broad expertise and ability to impart complex scientific knowledge.

Dr. Ojo’s impactful work has garnered significant recognition throughout his career. He was elected as an AAS Affiliate by The African Academy of Sciences for his substantial contributions to the study of metabolism and diabetes through harnessing the potential of African medicinal plants and natural product sources. He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Biochemical Society, UK, and Royal Society of Chemistry, UK, Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NSBMB), The Finnish Society for Bioinformatics, Finland, and a member of the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA), Finland Chapter fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within his field. He has been appointed as an external examiner for both doctoral and master’s thesis examinations at the University of Western Cape, South Africa, North-West University, South Africa, and Murdoch University, Western Australia. He has won several research grants and awards both nationally and internationally, including a Seeding Labs Instrumental Access award, multiple Bowen University Research Grants, and researcher development/travel support from the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK, and the Biochemical Society, UK. In 2023, he won the Global Excellence Stature Fellowship 4.0 in support of your postdoctoral research in the Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Trained in Nigeria for much of his work and currently engaged in international collaborations, he has published widely on metabolic disease and neuroprotection and has served on editorial boards. His work is best known for turning ‘herbal claims’ into chemistry-linked, mechanism-anchored pharmacological evidence that clinicians and regulators can actually use.

A coalition of civil society organisations has applauded the ruling of the National Industrial Court in Abuja halting the planned strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) against the Dangote Refinery.

The group, operating under the aegis of the Coalition for the Defence of Economic Rights (CODER), described the interim order as ‘a victory for the rule of law and economic stability’.

In a statement issued after an emergency meeting on Monday night and signed by its president, Comrade Babajide Oresanya, CODER urged all parties to respect the decision of the court and allow due process to take its course.

‘We hail the decision of the court under Justice Emmanuel Sublim to stop the strike and preserve the integrity of our economy,’ Oresanya said.

‘The attempt to cripple operations at the Dangote Refinery by cutting off crude oil and gas supply would have inflicted incalculable damage on the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians. The judiciary has once again risen to the occasion by protecting both the rule of law and the national interest.’

The coalition further warned that industrial unions must not act in a manner that undermines national development or the survival of critical infrastructure.

‘While we recognise and respect the constitutional right of workers to organise and press their demands, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law. The refinery is not just a private enterprise; it is a strategic national asset with implications for energy security, job creation, and the wider economy. To hold it hostage for union politics is unacceptable,’ the statement read.

Oresanya urged PENGASSAN to retrace its steps and engage in constructive dialogue rather than confrontation.

He also commended the federal government for acting swiftly by meeting with PENGASSAN and regulatory agencies such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), while urging stakeholders to abide strictly by the interim order of the court.

‘The court has spoken. Any attempt to flout this order would amount to contempt and could further escalate the situation. Nigerians are watching, and what the country needs at this moment is stability, not conflict. Respect for the judiciary is non-negotiable,’ Oresanya stressed.

The coalition also expressed concern that the controversy surrounding PENGASSAN’s allegations against the refinery could distract from the broader national goal of energy sufficiency.

‘Independent investigations and facts on ground have shown that the Dangote Refinery has been a net creator of jobs, both directly and indirectly. Rather than peddling unsubstantiated allegations, the union should channel energy into ensuring that the refinery delivers optimally and contributes to reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products,’ the group noted.

CODER concluded by calling on Nigerians to remain calm and trust in the judicial process.

‘The interim order is only the first step. The substantive matter will be heard on October 13, and we are confident that the court will dispense justice in line with the facts presented. What is most important now is that all parties submit to the authority of the court and allow reason to prevail,’ Oresanya added.

The National Industrial Court had earlier on Monday restrained PENGASSAN from proceeding with its nationwide strike after Dangote Refinery’s counsel, George Ibrahim, filed an ex-parte application.

Justice Sublim ruled that the strike could cause irreparable harm to the economy and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo until the substantive case is heard.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has been barred by the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Abuja from cutting supplies of petroleum products to the $20 billion Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals in Lagos.

Justice Emmanuel Subilim issued the order yesterday while ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by the refinery’s management. The motion was argued by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) George Ibrahim.

Also to be affected by the order are the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd, (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC),which are respondents to the motion.

The Federal Government also yesterday said the strike by PENGASSAN over the sack of 800 workers by Dangote Refinery was a matter of security concern.

The union members yesterday barricaded the entrances to the NNPCL, NMDPRA and NUPRC offices in Abuja, preventing their officials from gaining access till the Dangote Refinery recalled the sacked workers.

Dangote Refinery, in an affidavit supporting its motion at the industrial court, claimed that in recent times, it noted incidents of sabotage by some of the employees in the Lagos-based plant that raised issues of grave health concern and safety of human lives.

The company added that it came to an irresistible conclusion that there should be re-organisation in the plant, which led to 800 of its 3,000 workers losing their jobs last Thursday.

The management stated that it was surprised to see online reports the following day(Friday) that the workers were laid off because they joined PENGASSAN.

The company said it refuted the report via a statement in which it also explained it was not averse to employee unionising.

The management added that by a letter dated last Friday and allegedly circulated online by PENGASSAN through its General Secretary, Lamumba Okugbawa, the union wrote Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo, warning that its members would take action that would force the refinery to its knees if the sacked workers were not reabsorbed.

It added: ‘The first defendant issued a press statement on the 26th day of September, 2025, wherein it erroneously referred to the laying off of the workers by the claimant as anti-labour practices, alleging that the workers were being victimised because they joined the 1st defendant(PENGASSAN) as members of the union, which is not correct.

‘The first defendant is going to make good its threat to shut down operations of the claimant, knowing the strength of its membership across the country, unless the court intervenes.

‘The claimant’s plant was constructed with over $20 billion by its promoters to solve the energy problem of Nigeria that has been lingering for decades and has been sailing with good results to consumer satisfaction and have been making significant contribution to the economy of Nigeria, but the first defendant if allowed to make good its threat will undoubtedly plunge Nigeria into the dark days of energy dearth and crisis and again, jeopardise the livelihood of the Nigerian’s end users and consumers and negatively impact on the economy

‘The first defendant has not engaged the claimant with respect to a dispute, if any, before championing and calling for an industrial action against the claimant contrary to the extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’

Ruling after listening to Dangote Refinery’s lawyer, George Ibrahim (SAN, Justice Subilim held that the balance of convenience is in favour of the claimant as the continuation of the strike would irreparably damage its business and cripple the provision of essential services to the Nigerian public.

The judge was of the view that it was in the interest of justice for the court to restrain the respondents to preserve the industrial peace and further aid the continuous provision of essential services to the public pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Justice Subilim, while granting the restraining order, directed that copies of the order be promptly served on the respondents, along with motion on notice.

He subsequently adjourned till October 13 for the hearing of the motion on notice.

PENGASSAN action is security concern to Fed Govt

Labour and Employment Minister Muhammad Dingyadi said yesterday that the strike by the PENGASSAN posed a significant security and economic concern to the Federal Government.

Before the meeting between the oil unions’ leaderships, Dangote Refinery representatives and the Government team went into a closed-door session, Dingyadi promised that the government would ensure that the strike didn’t escalate into a national emergency.

The meeting had Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and top officials from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in attendance.

Dingyadi admitted that the government initially underestimated the scale of the industrial action.

He said: ‘We didn’t know the magnitude of this strike. Initially, we thought it was just about Dangote Refinery, but we have now been informed that it has extended to affect NNPC and other subsidiaries in the oil and gas industry.

‘What is happening today(Monday) is of concern to this country, our economy, and the security of our nation.

‘PENGASSAN has always been very peaceful, and we know for a very long time they have never done this kind of thing.

‘We consider them as friends and as people who wish this country well. Their action must be understood as a reflection of deep concerns that deserve urgent and sincere attention.

‘We want to make sure that this face-off is not extended to the ordinary citizens of the country.

‘That is why we are taking urgent steps to act as conciliators, to resolve this issue amicably for the good of our workers, our economy, and the spirit of our nation.’

As at few minutes to midnight, the meeting was still ongoing.

Dangote Refinery assures consumers of steady supply

Also yesterday, the refinery authorities assured Nigerians of uninterrupted supply of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene and cooking gas.

The assurance came amid alleged planned attack on the refinery by some PENGASSAN members and hired thugs.

According to intelligence sources, the plotters intend to disrupt critical units of the facility, particularly those responsible for petrol production.

Sources said that the management has requested heightened protection and surveillance.

One of the sources alleged that the planned disruption was part of a broader strategy to undermine Nigeria’s progress in domestic refining and push the country back into dependence on imported fuel.

‘Despite the sabotaging acts of PENGASSAN and its allies, Dangote Refinery is determined to continue with uninterrupted production and supply of petroleum products to the Nigerian people and businesses,’ he said.

Dangote should apologise, says TUC

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) demanded an apology from the Dangote Refinery management over the dismissal of the workers.

‘We demand the reversal of the arbitrary dismissal of over 800 workers by Dangote. If that is done, the next thing that we demand is a public apology from the Dangote Refinery Management, with an assurance that such won’t be used against the union in the future,” the union said in a statement by its Secretary General, Nuhu Toro.

Toro accused the refinery management of giving the TUC a bad name for calling for the reinstatement of the dismissed workers

‘What Dangote simply did was to give us a bad name. The first thing he did was to violate the agreement we both signed, arising from the previous intervention, that no worker was going to be victimised,” he said.

He also dismissed the claim by the management that the affected workers were plotting to sabotage the firm’s operations

‘For Dangote to react, he has to hide under the guise of sabotage, which is debatable in my opinion, because by the time you say sabotage, you must be able to substantiate and provide evidence of who is sabotaging,’ Toro said.

NLC mobilises affiliates

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday directed its affiliates and members nationwide to immediately mobilise for what it described as a ‘full-scale, decisive engagement’ against the refinery for its alleged anti-worker practices.

The NLC directive is contained in an internal memo by its President, Joe Ajaero.

The NLC stated that the matter has moved beyond the individual struggles of PENGASSAN and NUPENG, becoming a broader fight for workers’ rights across the country.

The memo reads in part: ‘This letter serves as a formal and urgent request in response to the protracted and deliberate anti-worker crusade being waged by the Dangote Group against the Nigerian working class.

‘The ongoing battle with PENGASSAN and NUPENG is merely a symptom of a deeper sickness – a capitalist pathology of union-busting, worker enslavement, and gross impunity that defines the Group’s industrial relations strategy.’ The congress further accused Dangote Refinery of behaving like ‘a state within a state,’ and repeatedly violating Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, flouted International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98, and treated national labour laws with ‘utter disdain.’

It described the company’s operations as ”plantations of exploitation, where the dignity of the worker is systematically crushed to maximise profit for the few.’

The Congress added: ‘The time for pleading and endless, fruitless dialogue is over. The moment for decisive, collective action is now.

‘The impunity of the Dangote Group must be met with the resistance of organised labour.’

Head coach of Nasarawa United, Mangut Mbwas has played down suggestions that his side are favourites for the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title, insisting it is too early to celebrate despite their current lead on the log.

The Solid Miners climbed to the summit of the table on Sunday after a convincing 2-0 win over Katsina United at the Lafia City Stadium on Matchday Six.

The result marked their third straight home victory, taking their tally to 13 points from six matches with four wins, one draw, and one loss.

Speaking after the game, Mangut praised his players’ response but warned against complacency.

‘It’s a thing of joy to win today. Our response was great because we have been working so hard, and gradually we are achieving our goals,’ he said.

‘But it is not time for celebration yet. The league is a marathon and still very much in its infancy.’

On the match itself, Mangut acknowledged that his side could have scored more than the two goals they managed.

‘Katsina United are a tricky side; they don’t allow you to play freely. The first-half goal gave us the advantage, and we added the second, though we wasted a lot of chances,’ he admitted. ‘My players were a bit anxious in front of goal, but we’re working on correcting that.’

Looking ahead, the coach maintained confidence in his squad’s growing momentum.

‘Our next game won’t be easy, but the team is growing in confidence, game after game. I believe we can win anywhere,’ he added.

Operatives of the Lagos Police Command have arrested a guard, Amos Kini, for allegedly abducting a two-year-old child in Elemoro, Lagos.

Kini, according to a report filed by the toddler’s mother, allegedly absconded with him on September 21.

The woman, who reported the incident around 11:50pm on the same day at Elomoro Division, said the guard also fled with their mobile phone.

He allegedly contacted the child’s father through the stolen phone and demanded N5 million for his release.

The Lagos Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police (SP) Abimbola Adebisi, said operatives started investigation as soon as they received the complaint, leading to the suspect’s arrest two days later.

The police said they arrested Aruna Dauda, the guarantor for the suspect.

They said while the suspect had released the child, the operatives continued their manhunt for him.

‘On 23rd September 23, about 1400hrs, operatives of the Tactical Squad (Hyena), acting on credible intelligence, successfully tracked and arrested Amos Kini at his hideout within the Elemoro area. The suspect has since confessed to the crime and remains in police custody. He will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

‘The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, condemned the abduction, reaffirming the command’s commitment to combating violent and capital crimes in the state.

‘He urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and advised members of the public to report any suspicious activities to the police through any of our emergency numbers,” Adebisi added.