As FG blocks old Twitter app, Nigerians now tweet using VPN - Newstrends
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As FG blocks old Twitter app, Nigerians now tweet using VPN

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  • FG lacks capacity to enforce ban – Experts

Barely 12 hours after the Federal Government announced the indefinite suspension of popular social media platform, Twitter, in Nigeria, the microblogging service has ceased to work on the old app.

But smart people have since downloaded and switched over to new available apps, where they enjoy tweeting unhindered.

They are currently sharing on social media a list of such available Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and they are Hide man, Turbo VPN, Private Tunnel, Surfeasy, Open VPN, Tor Guard, Proton VPN, Hotspot Shied, Private Internet Access and ZenMate.

VPN is a connection that allows users to establish a protected network connection when using public networks.

It helps users to protect their internet traffic and keep their identities private online.

By connecting to a secured VPN server, your internet traffic goes through an encrypted tunnel that nobody can see, including hackers, governments and your internet service provider.

Using it will help hide your internet protocol (IP) address — the unique number that identifies you and your location in the world.

One of the benefits of using VPN is that it changes your IP address. This implies that with a new IP address — which can be that of any country of your choice — you can use Twitter as if you’re in your selected country without restriction.

To do this, all that is needed is to change the location of the VPN to any country of your choice and connect to that country’s VPN.

And should the FG be contemplating a clampdown to block those available apps, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) experts say Nigeria does have the capability to enforce the ‘indefinite suspension’ of Twitter on the people, groups and businesses in Nigeria.

Indeed, they assert that the FG lacks a central information dissemination system that is required to make the ban work.

President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Ikechukwu Nnamani said he received the news with shock and was trying to study the situation to determine what level of intervention is required.

Nnamani who is also the Founder/CEO, Medallion Communications Limited, an interconnect clearinghouse and co-location data service company, however, hinted that the Association is already in talks with relevant government agencies to see how the issue can be resolved without any backlash.

Immediate past President of ATCON, Olusola Teniola, said, “In the case of Nigeria, it is very difficult to enforce because Twitter doesn’t have a physical office or presence in Nigeria.

“Their office is in Ghana. What obtains is that it is the local technology companies that provide access to their services which people access here.

“Even though the government is desirous of banning the activities of Twitter, it is powerless in this instance because there are several ways to access Twitter.

“I think the government decision would be weakened by the fact there are several other ways to bypass the ban and easily access their (Twitter) service. So there is really no cause for alarm. The digital world cannot be controlled, because it is a global platform.”

Teniola also said, “From the look of things, it is very clear that the government is trying to regulate the internet and social media.

“Unlike China, which is a communist country and has a central information system, this is not possible in Nigeria.

“As we speak, Twitter is still being accessed; it is not inoperative as we speak. So I think it is a mere wishful thinking on the part of government.”

A digital media expert, Mr Akeem Baiyewu, described the suspension as an exercise in futility.

He said the ban on Twitter was tantamount to stopping the wind from blowing.

On what is the likely socioeconomic backlash arising from the ban, Baiyewu said, “It is a mere empty threat by the government and cannot stand the test of time.

“There is no question of whether services would be disrupted. No. People should go about their businesses without any let or hindrance because the ban can’t work here.”

Expatiating, he said: “The whole world is going global and transparency comes with democracy. In today’s world, if you violate any rule, you face the consequence.

“Twitter didn’t impose its rule on the spur of the moment. It has its own rules of engagements which anyone ready to access their services must adhere to. Twitter didn’t force the government to access its services and cannot expect preferential treatment from the social media platform. They (Twitter) made their rules and the federal government joined voluntarily.

“According to Twitter, there was a violation of its rules by the top hierarchy of the Federal Government and it had to enforce its rule. So, I don’t think Twitter committed any infraction whatsoever.”

How Myanmar enforced Twitter, Instagram ban

Myanmar which joined the likes of China, North Korea and others in banning the social media first blocked Facebook and shortly afterwards ordered mobile networks and internet service providers to block Twitter and Facebook-owned Instagram.

The Southeast Asian country’s military seized power in a coup in February, detaining its civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi along with other government officials.

Facebook users had reportedly been using the social media platform to protest the coup, sharing photos of themselves giving the three-finger salute that’s become associated with resistance in the area.

“All mobile operators, international gateways and internet service providers in Myanmar received a directive on 5 February 2021 from the Myanmar Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) to, until further notice, block the social media platforms Twitter and Instagram,” Norwegian telecom company Telenor said in a statement late yesterday. The company provides mobile services in Myanmar.

Buhari/Twitter face-off

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, in announcing the ban on Twitter, said the government was forced to act because of “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.”

The sanction of the social media service has sparked widespread outrage, with many Nigerians, including celebrities, condemning the move.

Also reacting, the microblogging site described the directive as “deeply concerning.”

It stated, “The announcement made by the Nigerian Government that they have suspended Twitter’s operations in Nigeria is deeply concerning.

“We’re investigating and will provide updates when we know more.”

 

The suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria announced on Friday was a culmination of events that had happened this past week.

Twitter deleted tweets and videos of President Muhammadu Buhari making threats of punishment to a sect called IPOB in the South-East part of the country after he blamed them for attacks on government buildings.

He then made a reference to Nigeria’s civil war events in the 1960s, which seemed to offend many Nigerians.

Buhari, who was the country’s Head of State in the 1980s and served in the army against secessionists, said young Nigerians in the South East were too young to remember the horrible events that occurred during the war.

According to him, the activities of the present-day secessionists are likely headed toward war; hence, it was proactive to stop them beforehand with force.

“Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand,” he said.

Twitter chose to delete the tweet, which it said violated its abusive behaviour policy and several calls by Nigerians to take it down.

Twitter also suspended the President’s account, leaving it in a “read-only mode” for 12 hours.

Following its decision, Mohammed called out the social media giant by saying its decision was biased and said the President had a right to express his thoughts on events that affect the country.

He also raised suspicion about the platform’s intention in the country. “Twitter may have its own rules; it’s not the universal rule. If Mr President anywhere in the world feels very bad and concerned about a situation, he is free to express such views… The mission of Twitter in Nigeria is very, very suspect,” he said.

In a retaliation act, Nigeria has proceeded to suspend the platform’s operations in the country. While Twitter doesn’t have any offices in the country, this announcement can still play out.

-Additional reports by TheCable and The Nation

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Carloha Nigeria Unveils Nationwide 6-6-7 Rescue Service, Extends Free Roadside Assistance Beyond Chery Owners

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Carloha Nigeria Unveils Nationwide 6-6-7 Rescue Service, Extends Free Roadside Assistance Beyond Chery Owners

 

Carloha Nigeria, the authorised distributor of Chery vehicles in Nigeria, has launched the CarlohaCare 6-6-7 Rescue Initiative, a nationwide emergency roadside assistance programme aimed at providing prompt and professional support to motorists stranded by vehicle breakdowns on highways and major roads across the country.

The 24-hour rescue service, which is available through a dedicated emergency hotline, reinforces the company’s commitment to enhancing vehicle ownership by ensuring that trained rescue professionals are on standby to respond to emergencies whenever they occur.

The auto firm says motorists in need of assistance can reach the CarlohaCare Rescue Team by calling 07000 667 667, after which a professionally trained crew will be dispatched to provide support.

While response times would depend on location and road accessibility, the company assured that every distress call would receive professional attention.

The rescue programme is the latest addition to Carloha Nigeria’s award-winning CarlohaCare 6-6-7 aftersales package, which earned the company the Most Outstanding Aftersales Car Company award at the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Awards.

The package offers a six-year manufacturer’s warranty, six years of free scheduled maintenance and a seven-day repair promise.

Under the repair guarantee, customers are provided with a courtesy vehicle if repairs extend beyond seven working days due to parts availability or other qualifying circumstances.

The new rescue initiative now takes that commitment beyond the workshop to the roadside.

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Speaking on the development, Carloha Nigeria’s After-sales Manager, Samson Akinbowale, said the initiative was designed to give motorists greater confidence by ensuring help is always within reach.

“Vehicle breakdowns can occur unexpectedly and often create stressful situations for motorists. With the CarlohaCare 6-6-7 Rescue Initiative, our customers can enjoy peace of mind knowing that a dedicated team of trained professionals is available around the clock to provide prompt assistance whenever they need it,” he said.

Akinbowale added that the programme also includes on-location maintenance support to minimise vehicle downtime for both individual motorists and fleet operators.

Also speaking, the company’s General Manager, Marketing, Felix Mahan, described the initiative as another milestone in Carloha Nigeria’s customer-focused strategy.

“The CarlohaCare 6-6-7 Rescue Initiative is an extension of our vision to provide a superior ownership experience and eliminate the worries that come with vehicle ownership. We want every Chery owner to know that help is always just a phone call away,” Mahan said.

In a move the company described as an industry first in Nigeria, Carloha Nigeria announced that for a limited period, the free roadside rescue service would also be available to owners of non-Chery vehicles, subject to operational capacity. Chery owners, however, will continue to receive priority during periods of high demand.

According to Mahan, the decision reflects the company’s commitment to improving road safety and supporting the wider motoring community.

“We have the team, the trucks and the expertise. When our rescue fleet has spare capacity, it is our responsibility to deploy those resources to keep Nigeria’s roads moving, regardless of the vehicle brand. By extending this service beyond our customers, we are contributing to safer roads and setting a new benchmark for aftersales support in the Nigerian automotive industry,” he said.

Non-Chery motorists requiring assistance can call the same emergency hotline to confirm eligibility at the time of request. The company also advised motorists to follow its official social media platforms and website for updates on service availability and coverage areas.

Beyond emergency rescue and towing, the initiative provides on-location maintenance and technical support for individual motorists and fleet operators, where applicable. Carloha Nigeria said the service is expected to reduce workshop visits, minimise vehicle downtime and give motorists greater peace of mind on Nigerian roads.

 

Carloha Nigeria Unveils Nationwide 6-6-7 Rescue Service, Extends Free Roadside Assistance Beyond Chery Owners

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Dangote ends naira fuel sales, pegs petrol at $0.779 per litre in major pricing shift

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Dangote ends naira fuel sales, pegs petrol at $0.779 per litre in major pricing shift

Dangote ends naira fuel sales, pegs petrol at $0.779 per litre in major pricing shift

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has officially transitioned to United States dollar-denominated sales of refined petroleum products, ending naira-based transactions for most products and introducing a new pricing regime expected to significantly influence fuel prices, petroleum marketers and Nigeria’s deregulated downstream oil sector.

Under the new pricing template, which took effect on Monday, July 13, 2026, the refinery fixed the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, at $0.779 per litre. It also pegged the price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, at $1.087 per litre, while aviation fuel (Jet A-1) will now sell at $0.942 per litre. Coastal deliveries of petrol have also been priced at $1,044.62 per metric tonne.

The development marks one of the most significant commercial policy changes by the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery, effectively ending the naira-denominated fuel sales introduced under the Federal Government’s naira-for-crude initiative, which commenced on October 1, 2024, to encourage domestic refining, reduce pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves and stabilise fuel prices.

In a circular issued to petroleum marketers and customers, the refinery announced that all previously issued naira-denominated Proforma Invoices (PFIs) and Deal Recaps for both gantry and coastal transactions had become invalid following the transition to dollar transactions.

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The notice, signed by the refinery’s Group Commercial Operations, instructed customers not to make payments against any cancelled naira invoices, stating that all future purchases would be settled exclusively in United States dollars.

According to the refinery, the revised pricing structure applies to petrol, diesel and aviation fuel, while Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) remains exempt and will continue under its existing payment arrangement.

Industry experts say the transition reflects changing commercial realities facing the refinery, particularly the increasing use of dollar-denominated crude oil supply contracts.

Sources familiar with the development explained that although the refinery previously sold a substantial volume of its refined petroleum products in naira, a growing percentage of the crude oil it processes is now being purchased in dollars.

The resulting mismatch between procurement costs and sales revenue reportedly exposed the refinery to significant foreign exchange risks, especially amid persistent volatility in global crude oil prices and fluctuations in the naira exchange rate.

One senior industry source said the imbalance had become increasingly difficult to sustain.

“Dangote Refinery is receiving fewer naira-denominated crude cargoes while more crude supplies are being paid for in dollars. Continuing to sell refined products largely in naira created significant exchange-rate exposure that became commercially unsustainable.”

Energy analysts believe the refinery’s latest decision aligns its operations with international petroleum trading standards, where crude oil and refined petroleum products are predominantly traded in US dollars.

They note that the new policy is expected to improve the refinery’s financial stability by reducing exchange-rate losses while enhancing its competitiveness in regional and international export markets.

However, the move is also expected to have important implications for Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.

Since independent marketers and bulk distributors will now purchase products in dollars, foreign exchange movements are expected to play a more direct role in determining wholesale fuel prices.

Although the refinery has introduced dollar benchmark prices, industry stakeholders emphasise that Nigerians will continue to buy petrol at filling stations in naira.

Retail pump prices will therefore depend on several variables, including the prevailing naira-to-dollar exchange rate, international crude oil prices, transportation and logistics costs, depot charges, regulatory fees, taxes and marketers’ operating margins.

The policy shift has also reignited debate over the future of the Federal Government’s naira-for-crude programme, which was designed to encourage domestic refining, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and conserve scarce foreign exchange.

Industry observers say the effectiveness of the policy has weakened in recent months as increasing volumes of crude supplied to local refiners gradually reverted to dollar-based transactions.

Some analysts argue that unless crude oil allocations to domestic refineries are consistently supplied under naira-based arrangements, maintaining naira-denominated fuel sales may become increasingly difficult.

Since commencing commercial production, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has rapidly become Nigeria’s largest producer and supplier of refined petroleum products, significantly reducing the country’s reliance on imported petrol, diesel and aviation fuel.

The refinery has also expanded exports to several African countries, positioning Nigeria as an emerging regional refining hub.

Market analysts believe the transition to dollar pricing further integrates the refinery into the global petroleum market and reinforces the growing influence of international oil prices and exchange-rate stability on domestic fuel costs.

While marketers are expected to adjust to the new commercial framework, economists say exchange-rate management will now play an even more critical role in determining the affordability of fuel for Nigerian consumers.

The latest development underscores the increasing importance of macroeconomic stability, foreign exchange liquidity and crude oil supply arrangements in shaping the future of Nigeria’s deregulated petroleum market.

Dangote ends naira fuel sales, pegs petrol at $0.779 per litre in major pricing shift

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Keyamo releases CCTV footage, challenges Peter Obi’s persecution claims

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Peter Obi has no police escort — Spokesman replies Keyamo over CCTV video
Festus Keyamo and Peter Obi

Keyamo releases CCTV footage, challenges Peter Obi’s persecution claims

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has asked the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, to publicly apologise to airport officials and pay a ₦25,000 parking fine over an incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, warning that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) could take further action if he fails to comply within one week.

The minister issued the warning after ordering an internal investigation into Obi’s allegation that officials at the Abuja airport harassed him as part of what he described as political persecution by the Federal Government.

In a statement released on Friday night, Keyamo said the investigation relied on footage from the airport’s 24-hour Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system, which he said captured the entire sequence of events that led to the clamping of the vehicle conveying Obi.

According to the minister, the CCTV footage showed that on Saturday, July 4, 2026, Obi arrived at the domestic wing of the airport at about 8:28 p.m. in a vehicle driven by a police officer.

He said Obi and two other occupants immediately entered the terminal building, while the police officer parked the vehicle in the designated drop-off area before leaving it unattended and entering the terminal, contrary to airport regulations.

Keyamo explained that the drop-off zone is designed only for brief passenger drop-offs and that drivers are required to remain inside their vehicles at all times while using the area.

He said leaving any vehicle unattended within the zone constitutes a security risk and violates internationally accepted airport safety procedures.

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According to the minister, the police driver briefly returned to the vehicle at about 8:32 p.m. to retrieve an item before leaving it unattended again.

He said airport security personnel subsequently clamped the tyres of the vehicle after observing that it had remained unattended in the restricted area.

Keyamo stressed that airport officials who carried out the enforcement action did not know the vehicle belonged to Obi because there was no occupant inside when it was clamped.

The minister alleged that after the police officer discovered the vehicle had been immobilised, he contacted Obi, who then spoke directly with the airport manager and requested that the vehicle be released.

According to Keyamo, the vehicle was eventually released without payment of the prescribed ₦25,000 fine for violating airport parking regulations.

He argued that the matter had effectively been resolved until Obi later publicly alleged that he had been deliberately targeted by airport authorities because of his political status.

“As Minister of Aviation, I felt a moral duty to investigate and authenticate the claim made by Mr Peter Obi that the tyres of his car were unjustly clamped, suggesting a persecution agenda against him by the Federal Government,” Keyamo said.

“Luckily enough, the entire Abuja airport is covered by CCTV cameras operating 24 hours a day.”

The minister maintained that the footage contradicted Obi’s account and showed that airport officials merely enforced established security regulations applicable to every airport user, regardless of status or political affiliation.

He further alleged that Obi used his influence to secure the release of the vehicle without paying the required fine and later attempted to portray the enforcement action as political persecution.

Keyamo therefore demanded that Obi publicly apologise to airport workers whom he said were unfairly accused of victimising the former Anambra State governor.

He also asked Obi to voluntarily return to the airport and pay the ₦25,000 parking penalty.

According to the minister, failure to comply within one week would leave him with no option but to direct the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to take appropriate administrative action.

“If these demands are not met within one week, I will be giving the necessary directives to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to take the next steps against him,” he stated.

The controversy began after Obi alleged that airport officials clamped the vehicle conveying him while other improperly parked vehicles were left untouched.

The former Anambra State governor argued that the action reflected selective enforcement and formed part of a broader pattern of intimidation directed at opposition figures.

Obi also expressed concern over what he described as the shrinking democratic space in Nigeria and urged public institutions to remain impartial in carrying out their responsibilities.

As of the time of filing this report, Obi had not publicly responded to Keyamo’s latest statement, the CCTV footage released by the Ministry of Aviation or the minister’s demands for an apology and payment of the parking fine.

The incident has generated widespread debate across political and public circles, with supporters of both men offering differing interpretations of the CCTV footage and the circumstances surrounding the enforcement action.

While some observers argue that airport regulations should be applied equally to every Nigerian without regard to political status, others have called for an independent review to determine whether the enforcement process was carried out fairly and consistently.

The development has further intensified political exchanges ahead of the 2027 general election, with analysts saying the dispute reflects the increasingly charged political atmosphere as parties prepare for the next presidential contest.

Attention is now focused on whether Obi will respond to the minister’s ultimatum or whether FAAN will proceed with any formal administrative measures over the incident.

Keyamo releases CCTV footage, challenges Peter Obi’s persecution claims

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