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Maritime workers threaten strike, give FG seven-day ultimatum

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Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to compel the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to allow stevedoring companies and dockworkers into their operational areas as required by law.

A statement by President-General and Secretary-General of MWUN, Adeyanju Adewale and Felix Akingboye, respectively, vowed to shut down all ports operations if the demands were not met.

The union lamented the silence of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on the non-compliance of the IOCs to extant stevedoring regulations and the Marine/Government Notice No. 106 on Stevedoring regulations, 2014 issued by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.

The statement read in part, “We wish to point out that the extant stevedoring/ marine notice is the operational guideline to all dock labour employers and private operators of any work location including ports, jetties, onshore or offshore oil and gas or bonded terminals, inland container depots (ICDs), off-dock terminals, dry ports and platforms.

“The law stipulates that government-appointed and NIMASA registered stevedores and dockworkers shall be allowed access by the IOCs to the operational areas allocated to them by the NPA.

“We wish to further draw the public attention to the repressive practice of the IOCs by denying our members (dockworkers) access to their operational areas and consequently, denying the dockworkers the opportunity to earn wages. To worsen the matter, these IOCs have flooded the operational areas with aliens/foreigners at the expense of local workers and in breach of statutory regulations including the Local Content Act, NIMASA and NPA acts that prescribe indigenising of the workforce.

“It will be recalled that this matter became worrisome in 2018 which forced the Union to declare a three-day national strike before the intervention of Ministry of Transportation which summoned a stakeholders’ meeting including the IOCs and the Union. At the end, a communique was reached on how to address the matter.

“It is regrettable that up till now, the content of the communiqué has not been implemented. It is also very painful and sad that the Federal Government and its agencies especially the Ministry of Transportation and NPA, for the past four years have failed to compel the IOCs to not only comply with the statutory regulations, but to also comply with the communique reached at the stakeholders’ meeting of 2018.”

The union also said, “After several deceptions and unfulfilled promises, we decided to take our destiny in our hands. We believe that these IOCs have something to hide which they do not want Nigerians to be aware of, and this is especially bothersome in this era of increasing insecurity across the country.

“We need to ask why the IOCs are afraid to allow registered and approved Stevedores and Dockworkers access to their operational areas as prescribed by the law. The Federal Government and our members (Dockworkers) have lost huge sum of money both in revenue and wages.

“In view of the continued denial of our members (dockworkers) employment opportunities by the IOCs at designated oil and gas locations with its negative impact on the welfare of our members, in addition to their continued disrespect for our laws, we are constrained to issue a 7 -day ultimatum starting from today Friday 9th April 2021 to the Federal Government, the NNPC, NPA and NIMASA, to as a matter of national interest, immediately  compel the IOCs to comply and  obey the statutory regulations, and also implement the communique earlier reached.”

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Jetour Targets Abuja Market with X70 PHEV as Nationwide Expansion Gathers Pace

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Jetour Targets Abuja Market with X70 PHEV as Nationwide Expansion Gathers Pace

Jetour Nigeria is taking its hybrid SUV offensive to Abuja, with the X70 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) set to headline the three-day Jetour Experience from September 22 to 24 as the automaker accelerates its drive to expand its footprint and capture a larger share of Nigeria’s fast-evolving mobility market.

The Abuja showcase, coming on the heels of a strong Lagos edition that generated significant consumer interest, test drives and sales enquiries, is designed to bring Jetour’s latest technologies closer to customers in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states.

The event at Maha Event Centre, Area 8, will give prospective buyers and auto enthusiasts the opportunity to test-drive the X70 PHEV and other Jetour models while interacting with product specialists and experiencing their technology, safety features, performance and comfort firsthand.

According to the company, expanding the showcase to the Federal Capital Territory was a direct response to rising demand from residents in Abuja and neighbouring states.

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To bolster buyer confidence, Jetour Nigeria—the country’s sole authorised distributor—backs the X70 PHEV with a five-year or 150,000-kilometre warranty.

The distributor operates through an accredited nationwide dealer network, including: Elizade Nigeria Limited,
New Era Auto Vehicle Services Limited, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Tab Autos Limited, R.T. Briscoe Motors, and Mandilas Autos.

The X70 PHEV pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with a 19.43kWh battery and a dedicated hybrid transmission. Designed to balance performance with fuel efficiency, the vehicle supports fast, slow, engine, and regenerative braking charging options—reducing reliance on external charging infrastructure.

Jetour’s rapid growth in the Nigerian market has earned both private and corporate patronage, driven by competitive pricing, high specification levels, and an expanding service footprint. The brand was named “Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year” at the 2024 Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Awards.

With the X70 PHEV leading the Abuja showcase, Jetour aims to deepen customer engagement and consolidate its position in the local automotive market.

 

Jetour Targets Abuja Market with X70 PHEV as Nationwide Expansion Gathers Pace

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Sanwo-Olu Joins Dangote as Historic N2.15tn Refinery IPO Opens on Nigerian Exchange 

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L-R: President, Aliko Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Exchange Group, NGX, Mr Temi Popoola; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Dangote Group, Fatima Dangote, during the opening of Dangote Petroleum Refinery Initial Public Offer (IPO) at the NGX building, Marina, Lagos, on Monday, September 14, 2026.

Sanwo-Olu Joins Dangote as Historic N2.15tn Refinery IPO Opens on Nigerian Exchange 

 

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday joined business leaders, investors and capital-market stakeholders as the Initial Public Offering of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals formally opened on the Nigerian Exchange, NGX, in Lagos.

The landmark transaction, which could raise about N2.15 trillion, marks one of the biggest capital-market transactions in Nigeria’s history and gives Nigerians and other investors an opportunity to acquire a stake in Africa’s largest oil refinery.

Sanwo-Olu attended the opening ceremony at the NGX Group building in Marina, Lagos, where Dangote Industries President and Chief Executive Officer, Aliko Dangote, sounded the gong to formally commence the public offer.

The IPO comprises 4.1 billion ordinary shares priced at N525 each, with investors allowed to subscribe for a minimum of 10 shares, valued at N5,250. The offer will remain open until October 13, 2026.

The development represents a major milestone for Nigeria’s capital market, as the Dangote Refinery becomes the first refinery to be offered for public subscription on the Nigerian stock market in the 66-year history of the NGX.

The ceremony attracted an array of prominent figures from government, business and the financial sector, including NGX Group Chairman Umaru Kwairanga, NGX Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Temi Popoola, Zenith Bank founder Jim Ovia, Coronation Group Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

Also present were senior executives of Dangote Industries and representatives of the capital-market community.

Dangote described the offer as a “people’s IPO”, stressing that its primary objective was to broaden ownership of the refinery and allow ordinary Nigerians and investors across the world to participate in the wealth created by the massive industrial project.

According to him, the public offer was not primarily about raising funds for the Dangote Group, which he said already had substantial capital available for its expansion plans, but about democratising wealth creation.

 

The refinery is currently designed to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, while Dangote Industries plans to expand its capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day over the coming years. Proceeds from the IPO are expected to support the refinery’s expansion and strengthen its capacity for future growth.

 

The public offer follows a $2.5 billion private placement earlier in the year, which attracted strong institutional interest. Reuters reported that the refinery is valued at about $47.6 billion, making the IPO one of the most significant equity offerings ever undertaken in Africa.

 

The refinery has increasingly become a strategic component of Nigeria’s energy security drive, reducing the country’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products while positioning Nigeria as a potential major exporter of refined products.

 

The opening of the IPO also comes at a time when the Dangote refinery has reported a sharp improvement in its financial performance. Reuters reported that the company recorded a $1.82 billion net profit in the first half of 2026, alongside revenue of more than $13 billion.

 

Dangote has also sought to make the offer accessible to ordinary Nigerians, with subscriptions available through digital investment platforms and other authorised channels. The minimum subscription of 10 shares means an investor can enter the offer with N5,250.

 

The NGX has described the transaction as an important development for the Nigerian capital market, particularly in broadening retail participation and deepening the investment culture.

 

For Lagos, where the refinery is located and where the historic IPO was formally launched, the development further reinforces the state’s position as Nigeria’s dominant commercial and financial centre.

 

With the offer running until October 13, investors will now determine whether the historic transaction achieves its N2.15 trillion target and establishes a new benchmark for public participation in Nigeria’s industrial sector.

 

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X90 Plus Leads Jetour’s Abuja Drive for Bigger SUV Market Share

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X90 Plus Leads Jetour’s Abuja Drive for Bigger SUV Market Share

 

Jetour Nigeria is taking its premium SUV battle to Abuja, with the seven-seater X90 Plus set to headline the Jetour Experience Abuja from September 22 to 24, as the automaker moves to capture a larger share of Nigeria’s fast-growing high-end family SUV market.

The three-day motoring showcase will give prospective buyers, families and auto enthusiasts in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states an opportunity to experience the X90 Plus and other models in the Jetour range through test drives and hands-on demonstrations.

The Abuja showcase follows the success of the brand’s earlier Jetour Experience in Lagos, where strong customer interest, inquiries and sales momentum reportedly encouraged the company to take the initiative to the Federal Capital Territory.

Jetour Nigeria said growing demand from customers in Abuja and neighbouring states was a major factor behind the decision to expand the experience to the northern market.

Positioned as a full-sized family SUV, the X90 Plus is designed for executives and families seeking a combination of space, technology, performance and comfort without the price tag associated with some luxury SUVs.

The model is offered with 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre turbocharged engines paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The powertrain produces up to 254 horsepower and 390Nm of torque.

Inside the cabin, the X90 Plus features a 12.3-inch LCD touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, Sony premium audio system and wireless charging.

Its safety and driver-assistance features include a 360-degree panoramic camera, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and electronic stability systems.

Jetour’s growing profile in Nigeria has also earned the brand recognition from the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), which named it Fastest Growing Auto Brand, while it was also recognised as Auto Brand of the Year at the Nigeria Transport Lecture.

To support its expanding customer base, Jetour Nigeria, the sole authorised distributor, operates through seven accredited dealer partners across the country: Elizade Nigeria Limited, Mandilas Autos, R.T. Briscoe Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Kojo Motors, Tab Autos Limited and New Era Auto Vehicle Services Limited.

The Abuja Experience is expected to provide Jetour with another platform to engage potential customers and reinforce its position in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive SUV market.

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