Fuel price: Reps summon Kyari, marketers, want mass transit scheme revived
The House of Representatives has shut down a motion seeking to stop marketers from selling petrol at the new pump price.
The Reps rather resolved to investigate the hike by summoning NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, and the managements of oil marketing firms.
The House also advised the Federal Government to revive its public mass and urban transit scheme to ease the transportation problem arising from the fuel price hike.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on Tuesday raised the petrol pump price from N488 to N617/litre, attributing to prevailing market forces.
The Reps also asked its ad hoc committee to propose palliatives to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians.
The sponsor of the motion, Ikenga Ugochinyere, asked that Kyari and oil marketers be invited by the committee to explain what led to the increase.
Ugochinyere said that Section 88 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution empower the National Assembly to conduct investigations into the activities of any authority executing or administering laws made by the National Assembly.
He added that Section 32 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 saddles the Petroleum Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority with the task of regulating and monitoring technical, commercial midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria.
The lawmaker reminded his colleagues that the NNPCL on Tuesday increased the pump price of petrol from N537 to N617 in Abuja and other parts of the country.
During the debate on another motion, the House advised the Federal Government to revive its public mass and urban transit schemes to make the cost of commuting cheap.
It said this could be done through public and private partnerships.
The House also resolved to probe the failure of the schemes in the past.
The decision followed a motion sponsored by Olumide Osoba, Kama Nkemkanma and Princess Miriam Onuoha.
Osoba, who presented the motion, said the cost of transportation across the country had tripled due to the removal of subsidy.
Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) said that international price of crude oil and exchange rate constitute over 80 per cent of cost of imported fuel.
It explained that the remaining 20 per cent is made up of statutory dues, distribution costs and margins.
MOMAN, while reiterating its support for the deregulation of the oil and gas sector, said the policy promises a transparent and level playing field.
It added in a statement after its virtual meeting that in a liberalised market, the pump price of petrol should accurately reflect current economic realities.
The statement by MOMAN Chairman, Olu Adeosun, partly read, “In recent months, the price of PMS has remained relatively stable. On 30 May 2023, Platts reported a price of $827 per metric ton (MT), and on 14 July 2023, it was $859.25 per MT.
“However, there has been a significant increase in foreign exchange rates. “MOMAN can infer from its calculations in May that the NNPCL determined its pump price using an exchange rate of about N630 to the US dollar, while banks reported an exchange rate of approximately N650 on the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window.
“As of today, the liquid exchange rate is close to N825 to the dollar. This devaluation adds N100 to the cost of importing a single litre of PMS.
“Consequently, an increase in the pump prices of petrol should be expected.”
Barcelona beat Atletico to set up cup final against Real Madrid
It will be the eighth time there has been an El Clasico in the Spanish Cup final, with the nation’s two most successful club sides set to meet on 26 April in Seville.
Ferran Torres’ first-half effort proved decisive for Barcelona at Metropolitano Stadium, with the Spain forward poking the ball past Argentine goalkeeper Juan Musso after Lamine Yamal’s superb pass had split the home defence.
It was no more than the visitors deserved, with 17-year-old Yamal a constant source of danger and Raphinha also twice threatening to extend Barca’s lead.
Unlike the thrilling first-leg tie in February, when Diego Simeone’s side twice scored late on in a dramatic 4-4 draw, this was a tighter and more tense affair without the grandstand finish from Atletico.
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The hosts did have opportunities.
Substitute Alexander Sorloth elected to shoot instead of squaring the ball to Antoine Griezmann for a tap-in, while the Norway forward was also ruled offside after rattling in what he thought was an equaliser.
However, in truth, Atletico were second best to Hansi Flick’s side for long periods, with the record 31-time winners always appearing relatively comfortable as they extended their unbeaten run to 21 games across all competitions.
The Catalan club remain the only side in Europe’s top-five leagues yet to lose in 2025 and remain on course for a potential quadruple.
Barca, who have already won the Spanish Super Cup this term, lead the La Liga table by three points from Real Madrid.
They also host Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on 9 April (20:00 BST).
Meanwhile, the final against Carlo Ancelotti’s team in Seville will come just over two weeks before a potentially pivotal fixture between the clubs in the Spanish top flight.
Wike congratulates Okpebholo on tribunal victory
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has congratulated Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo on his victory at the tribunal.
The Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting on Wednesday, affirmed Okpebholo as the duly elected governor of Edo.
A three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, against the election outcome.
The petition challenged the result of the governorship election held on Sept. 21, 2024 but was struck out by the tribunal for lack of merit.
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Reacting, Wike, in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, urged the governor to remain focused on delivering good governance.
He advised Okpebholo not to be distracted but to remain dedicated to serving the people of Edo.
Wike described the tribunal’s ruling as a confirmation of the mandate freely given to Okpebholo by Edo voters.
The minister expressed confidence in the governor’s ability to bring relief and development to the state.
“This victory belongs to the people of Edo who elected, as their governor, Okpebholo.
“I believe in him, and with the way he has started, his government will positively impact Edo and its people,” he added.
(NAN)
Teacher arrested in Osun for allegedly molesting 7-year-old pupil
22-year-old male school teacher, Rufai Akorede, has been arrested in Ilesa, Osun State, by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for allegedly molesting a seven-year-old female pupil.
The NSCDC stated that Akorede is accused of “thrusting his manhood” into the child’s mouth in a classroom after school.
Following a report, the Osun NSCDC Commandant, Igbalawole Sotiyo, ordered an immediate investigation, which revealed the alleged molestation began in 2024, according to a statement signed by the state command’s public relations officer, Kehinde Adeleke.
According to NSCDC, in his confessional statement, Akorede admitted to the crime, explaining that after school hours, he instructed the victim to close the windows in the classroom before assaulting her.
“The second incident happened on March 20, 2025, after school hours. It was only the teacher and the girl who were in the class, and he pressed her buttocks,” Adeleke said.
Akorede was arraigned before the Magistrate Court in Ilesa, Osun State, on March 26, 2025, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded in the correctional centre. The trial has been adjourned.
In a separate case, 20-year-old Tiamiyu Samuel was arrested for allegedly having unlawful carnal knowledge of a 12-year-old girl in Gbongan, Osun State.
Adeleke, the NSCDC spokesperson, stated that Samuel had known the victim for three years and, after she rejected his advances, forcibly dragged her into his room on March 23, 2025, with the help of an accomplice.
The suspect allegedly threatened the victim with a cutlass before assaulting her, causing the victim to bleed. He then threatened to kill her if she told anyone.
“The accomplice is currently at large but will be apprehended to face the consequences of his actions. The suspect admitted committing the offence and a medical report confirms that the victim’s hymen was broken,” Adeleke said.
The NSCDC has assured the public that once the investigation is concluded, the suspect will be charged in court.
The Osun NSCDC urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and safeguard their children from such predatory individuals. The Commandant also warned that those engaging in such heinous acts will face severe consequences
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