Year: 2025

Navy destroys eight illegal refining sites in N’Delta creeks 27th

 

Personnel of the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base Escravos, have deactivated eight illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta creeks in a sustained effort to enhance Nigeria’s daily crude oil output and combat economic sabotage.

 

The Commanding Officer of the FOB Escravos, Navy Capt. Ikenna Okoloagu, told journalists in Warri, Delta State, on Tuesday, that the exploits followed a series of successful operations targeting crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other illicit activities in the region.

 

“In total, the three operations led to the deactivation of eight illegal refining sites, with the seizure of approximately 16,040 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,650 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.

 

According to him, the materials were found in two ovens, 43 dugout pits, and 18 polythene sacks.

 

Okoloagu added, “These operations, conducted under Operation DELTA SANITY II and guided by actionable intelligence, underscore FOB ESCRAVOS’ unwavering commitment to the strategic directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, aimed at eliminating all forms of maritime illegality in Nigeria’s territorial waters.

“On May 14, 2025, based on credible intelligence, FOB ESCRAVOS operatives uncovered and dismantled two illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino, in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State. The sites contained approximately 5,625 litres of stolen crude oil, stored in one oven and 17 dugout pits.

 

“Subsequently, on May 19, 2025, three more illegal refining sites were discovered and dismantled in the same vicinity. This operation led to the recovery of approximately 2,500 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,650 litres of illegally refined AGO, stored in one oven, five dugout pits, and 18 polythene sacks.

 

“Maintaining operational momentum, FOB Escravos personnel conducted a follow-up operation on May 26, 2025, uncovering and deactivating another three illegal refining sites at Oteghele, also in Obodo Omadino. These sites harboured an estimated 7,915 litres of stolen crude oil, concealed in 21 dugout pits.

 

“FOB Escravos remains committed to its mandate of disrupting the operations of economic saboteurs and ensuring that Nigeria harnesses the full benefits of its natural resources.”

16-year-old sworn in as speaker Gombe children’s parliament

 

A 16-year-old Senior Secondary School, two science student of Ilimi School, Ramlat Ahmed, has been inaugurated as the Speaker of the Gombe State Children’s Parliament.

 

Ahmed was sworn in on Monday alongside 14-year-old Christopher Ngale, who emerged as Deputy Speaker, and 10 other principal officers who will steer the affairs of the seventh assembly of the Children’s Parliament in the state.

 

The inauguration, held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, was witnessed by government officials, legislative officers, and child rights advocates.

 

While inaugurating the new assembly, Principal Legislative Officer at the Gombe State House of Assembly, Aminu Aliyu, charged the young lawmakers to prioritise the protection of children’s rights.

 

“You are to see yourselves as ambassadors of other children; you must carry yourselves in a manner that reflects the responsibilities of your offices,” he said.

 

Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Modi Shelpidi, said the inauguration marked a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to promote child welfare.

 

“Since 2022, the state has not had a functioning Children’s Parliament. This assembly will go a long way in advancing not only children’s rights but also broader issues concerning women,” Shelpidi noted.

 

Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Gombe State House of Assembly, Gabriel Galadima, pledged the Assembly’s full support for the initiative.

“We are committed to teaching the children the rudiments of lawmaking. They should feel free to seek guidance from us whenever necessary,” Galadima said.

 

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Asma’u Iganus, commended the state governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of children in the state.

 

Iganus described the inauguration as a historic and auspicious occasion aimed at empowering young people to understand legislative processes and participate in decisions that affect their lives.

 

“The Governor’s assent to the Child Protection Law and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law is a clear demonstration of his passion and fatherly concern for children in the state,” the commissioner said.

 

Iganus urged the young parliamentarians to use their platform to advocate for the rights and interests of children within and beyond Gombe State.

 

She also called on all stakeholders to provide an enabling and secure environment for children, free from intimidation and harassment.

In a related development, officials of the ministry, led by the Commissioner, visited several orphanages across the state as part of activities to commemorate the upcoming Children’s Day on May 27.

 

Relief items were distributed at Al-Guh Orphanage, Da’awah Orphanage, Gombe House of Hope, and Destiny Kids Orphanage.

Don urges early diagnosis, policy reforms to combat heart diseases

 

A professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Adeseye Akintunde, on Tuesday, advocated early diagnosis and comprehensive national policy reforms to address the rising burden of cardiovascular diseases across sub-Saharan Africa.

 

Akintunde made this call while delivering the 64th inaugural lecture of LAUTECH, held at the university premises in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

 

In his lecture titled “The Heart and Its Venomous Whispers of Disorders,” Akintunde explained that cardiovascular diseases were the leading cause of death globally, demanding interprofessional collaboration for better public health outcomes.

 

He warned of the increasing toll of heart-related ailments in sub-Saharan Africa, blaming urbanisation, obesity and sedentary lifestyles for surges in hypertension, stroke and heart failure cases.

He called for more awareness, lifestyle changes and the mantra “know your numbers to prevent cardiovascular diseases in rapidly developing African societies.

 

“I want to urge Nigerians to regularly monitor their blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and weight toward preventing cardiovascular emergencies and promoting healthier living.

 

“Grace, grit, and gratitude define my journey. When the heart beats with purpose, greatness is achievable,” he added.

Anambra 2025: Federal might won’t save you, APGA tells APC candidate

 

The All Progressives Grand Alliance has told the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the Anambra State governorship election, Nicholas Ukachukwu, that federal might will not save him from defeat in the November 8, 2025 governorship election.

 

Recall that the APC candidate, Ukachukwu, on Monday, said his party is set to defeat the incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo at the November 8 governorship elections.

 

Ukachukwu, who stated this after he and his running mate, Uche Ekwunife, met with President Bola Tinubu, premised his claim on the wide support for his candidacy, especially from supporters who joined him to defect from the APGA, Soludo’s party, to the APC.

 

“When I left APGA, I left with all my supporters. That makes APC stronger,” Ukachukwu told State House correspondents after Tinubu handed him the symbolic APC flag at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

 

The APC candidate said he was more than ready to deliver Anambra to the APC and end what he described as the state’s “one-party system.”

 

However, reacting to the development in a press statement released on Tuesday, the National Coordinator, APGA Media Warriors Forum, Chinedu Obigwe, averred that Ukachukwu is desperately hatching a plot to rig the November 8 governorship election, thinking “presidential might” will help him.

 

Obigwe also insisted that the move by the APC National Chairman, Umar Ganduje, to package Ukachukwu and his running mate before Tinubu at the Villa will not save them from defeat.

The statement read, “Ukachukwu is desperately hatching a plot to rig the November 8 governorship election with Presidential might because he knows very well that he is not electable and that there is no gospel that he can preach to Anambra electorates that will make them vote for him.

 

“Ganduje packaging of Ukachukwu and his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, like ‘Belgium rats’ for presentation to President Tinubu at the villa, will not save them from defeat. Ukachukwu will lose the forthcoming November 8 governorship election woefully.

 

“Not even his packaging like by Ganduje for presentation to Tinubu can save him from the defeat that is staring him at the face. President Tinubu has nothing to do with his financially induced emergence as an Anambra APC governorship candidate.

 

“We will continue saying this without minding whose ox is gored. Ukachukwu will be rejected at the poll. Especially now that the people of the State are enjoying dividends of good governance from Governor Soludo’s administration.”

 

“Anambra is now the envy of other states in Nigeria, courtesy of Soludo’s good work in our state. Those supporting Ukachukwu’s mission in our state are enemies of the state, and they will be defeated as common enemies by patriotic citizens of Anambra State on November 8.

 

“No vacancy in Anambra State government house. It is Governor Soludo for Governor or nothing till March 17, 2030.”

75-year-old Edo pilgrim dies during Hajj in S’Arabia

 

A 75-year-old woman from Edo State, Adizatu Dazumi, died during the 2025 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

 

Dazumi was from Jattu Uzairue in Etsako West Local Government Area.

 

PUNCH Online gathered that the pilgrim died on Monday at King Fahad General Hospital in Makkah after a short illness.

 

The Chairman of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Musah Uduimoh, confirmed her death on Tuesday.

Uduimoh said Dazumi became ill shortly after performing Tawaaf (walking around the Kaaba) and was taken to the hospital on Sunday. She passed away the next day.

 

“She was buried in Makkah on the same day, according to Islamic tradition, and her family in Jattu Uzairue has been informed,” Uduimoh said.

 

He sent his condolences to her family and assured other pilgrims that the board is committed to their health and safety.

The Future of Casino Gaming: Virtual Reality Experiences

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One prominent company leading this innovation is Oculus, a division of Meta Platforms, which has created VR headsets that boost the gaming experience. Their platform allows players to engage in authentic casino environments from the ease of their homes. You can learn more about their services on their official website.

In 2022, the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas launched a VR gaming area, permitting guests to enjoy a range of casino games in a fully immersive atmosphere. This initiative has drawn a younger demographic, keen for new and exciting ways to play. For additional insights into the influence of VR in gaming, visit The New York Times.

VR technology not only improves the sight and sound features of gaming but also includes social engagement, permitting players to communicate and challenge with others in actual time. This extent of involvement is expected to increase player retention and happiness. Explore the most recent advancements in VR gaming at 1xbet рабочее зеркало.

As the appeal of VR gaming remains to rise, casinos must modify to this shift by investing in technology and creating unique experiences. Players should look for licensed sites that emphasize safety and fair play to fully enjoy the gains of this dynamic evolution in casino gaming.

Benue APC seeks Tinubu’s help over insecurity

 

The All Progressives Congress in Benue State has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the incessant killings in the state.

 

The party stated that the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, can no longer address the worsening insecurity.

 

The state publicity secretary of the party, under the leadership of the Austin Agada faction, Daniel Ihomun, made this known in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday.

 

This was in reaction to the recent killing of a police officer and 41 people in four communities in the Gwer West Local Government Area of the state.

 

The APC described the latest massacre as another tragic addition to the growing list of unprovoked attacks on the defenceless people of the state.

 

Ihomun said, “It is now crystal clear that the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia has no strategy or capacity to address the persistent security crisis ravaging Benue communities.

 

“The government’s inability to stem the tide of bloodshed has left our people vulnerable, and the silence from the corridors of power is both deafening and damning.”

 

The party also criticised what it described as the “conspicuous silence” of the Benue State House of Assembly and condemned the lawmakers’ sudden recess.

 

“As representatives of the people, their inaction and failure to speak out against these atrocities is utterly unacceptable.

 

“The leadership of the Assembly has sadly turned its back on those they were elected to serve. At a time when our state is engulfed in what amounts to a genocide, there is absolutely no justification for legislative recess or passivity.

“As defenders of our people, the APC Benue State Chapter calls on His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to urgently intervene by deploying more security personnel to the state to protect lives and restore peace.

 

“The state government has clearly run out of ideas and lacks the political will to confront this menace,” the party’s publicity secretary said.

 

The party, however, reiterated its call for a stakeholders’ security meeting to address the rising insecurity in the state.

 

It suggested that such a meeting should include critical stakeholders across party lines—National Assembly members, government appointees, youth representatives, clergy, traditional rulers, and security agencies.

“Our people deserve to live without fear. We will not keep silent in the face of continuous attacks and governmental indifference,” the factional party added.

 

Meanwhile, Alia, in a statement condemning the killings, reaffirmed his commitment to the safety and security of the people of Benue State.

 

According to a statement issued by his media aide, Kula Tersoo, the governor expressed support for traditional institutions in the state that have mandated Fulani herdsmen to vacate the state.

 

The statement reads, “He (Alia) stands resolute with the traditional institution, which has recently mandated the immediate evacuation of criminal herders and their accomplice terrorists from Benue lands.”

 

Governor Alia also urged security agencies to intensify their efforts to safeguard Benue communities, stating, “It is imperative that these criminal elements and their accomplices are apprehended and dealt with swiftly and justly in accordance with the laws of our land.”

Police summon officers after viral ₦5,000 extortion video

 

The Nigeria Police Force has identified and summoned a group of officers featured in a viral video extorting motorists.

 

The video, which circulated widely on Monday, captured the moment a police officer demanded either ₦5,000 or five litres of fuel from motorists who were unable to provide proof of Electronic Central Motor Registry.

 

Responding to the incident, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, condemned the behaviour in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).

He wrote: “This action is utterly condemned. The officers have been identified and summoned to Force Headquarters for necessary action.

 

“We will not tolerate any act of indiscipline or unprofessionalism. We will update the public on our decisions as soon as possible. Thanks.”

Nigeria’s internet penetration hits 48.15%

 

Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is grappling with a complex landscape as internet penetration reached 48.15 per cent in April 2025, up slightly from 47.73 per cent in March, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission.

 

However, this modest gain is overshadowed by a second consecutive month of declining data consumption, driven by steep tariff hikes and mounting economic pressures that are forcing consumers to scale back on internet usage. Nigeria has missed its internet penetration target for 2025.

 

The National Broadband Plan (NBP 2020–2025) set an ambitious goal of achieving 70% broadband penetration by the end of 2025.

 

Stakeholders confirm that Nigeria is “still a long way from achieving its 70 per cent penetration target” and that the current trajectory makes it unlikely the goal will be reached by the end of the year.

 

The slow progress is attributed to several persistent challenges, including high costs and bureaucratic delays in obtaining right-of-way for infrastructure deployment, with only a few states waiving these fees.

 

The NCC reported that data usage dropped to 983,283.43 terabytes in April, down from 995,876.10 terabytes in March. This decline follows a sharp fall earlier in the year, when data consumption plummeted from a record one million terabytes in January to 893,054.80 terabytes in February, accompanied by a loss of approximately one million internet subscribers.

While March saw a partial recovery with an 11.5 per cent increase in data usage and subscriptions rebounding to 142.05 million, April’s figures slipped again to 141.99 million subscribers, signalling renewed strain on the sector.

 

Despite the uptick in internet penetration, Nigeria’s digital economy faces significant challenges. The country’s appetite for data remains robust, driven by digital lifestyle trends, network expansion, and the internet’s vital role in education, commerce, and social connectivity.

 

However, affordability issues are threatening to stall progress, with internet penetration still below the 50 per cent mark. Industry experts warn that without addressing these cost barriers, Nigeria’s nascent digital economy could falter.

 

The NCC data also highlighted a surge in subscriber porting, with 6,789 customers switching networks in April, a 121 per cent increase from 3,064 in March. MTN Nigeria led the market, gaining 3,960 subscribers, followed by Airtel with 1,860 and Globacom with 966.

 

In contrast, 9mobile added just three subscribers, underscoring the fierce competition in a price-sensitive market. Additionally, the NCC noted 208,482 active subscribers for data services across licensed providers, likely representing a specific segment of the market.

EU, World Bank back FG’s skills programme

 

The European Union and the World Bank are backing the Federal Government of Nigeria as the country scales up its Three Million Technical Talent programme with support in a renewed push to equip young people with digital skills and connect them to global job opportunities.

 

The 3MTT programme is a flagship initiative of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. Its primary goal is to train three million Nigerians in key technical skills by 2027, thereby building a robust digital workforce to power Nigeria’s economy and position the country as a global exporter of tech talent.

 

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani, said the 3MTT initiative, billed as the world’s largest talent accelerator, is central to President Bola Tinubu’s vision for human capital development.

 

“When we came in, he said we must create one million technical jobs,” Tijjani told TVC recently. “That’s why we started the 3MTT programme… Every state I travel to, I meet young participants who are now gaining new skills and access to real opportunities.”

 

The programme, which began in 2023 with a pilot phase involving one per cent of its target, is now expanding rapidly. “We shifted to 10 per cent last year to learn what’s working,” Tijjani said. “Now we’re going full scale.”

According to the minister, the European Union has committed over €11m to support the programme. The World Bank is also analysing the initiative’s impact as part of a broader effort to scale up youth employment solutions.

 

Unlike past government-led training schemes, 3MTT has emphasised job placement alongside skills acquisition. Tijjani said partnerships with private companies and international organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme, which pays internship salaries for participants, have helped thousands of beneficiaries gain practical work experience.

 

He added that the government will soon launch Talent City, a new initiative that will convert public buildings into business process outsourcing hubs capable of hosting global service firms. The move is aimed at tapping into the growing demand for English-speaking talent in the BPO industry, a sector long dominated by countries such as India and the Philippines.

 

“We’re starting with the Digital Bridge Institute in Lagos and working with state governments to renovate iconic buildings like the Standard Building to house more outsourcing operations,” he said.

 

Tijjani stressed that the government is taking a data-driven approach. “We’re not just throwing numbers around. This is about people’s lives,” he said.

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