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Minister Meets Bayelsa Monarchs In moves To Tackle Oil Theft

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has visited traditional rulers in Bayelsa State to seek their support to end pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta.
Lokpobiri said the move aligned with the Federal Government’s commitment to foster cooperation with key stakeholders in the oil industry and address the persistent challenges of pipeline vandalism, crude theft and security uncertainties in oil communities across the region.
The Federal Government and oil sector operators have repeatedly blamed the drop in Nigeria’s oil earnings on the incessant cases of pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta.
On December 25, 2023, The PUNCH exclusively reported that Nigeria lost about N289.6bn crude oil revenue in November 2023, following a plunge in the country’s oil output in that month, when compared to what it pumped in the preceding month of October.
The report stated that Nigeria produced 41,867,775 million barrels of crude (excluding condensates) in October, but this plunged to 37,508,971 barrels in November, representing a decline of 4,358,804.
The drop in output was attributed to oil theft, and in a bid to halt the menace, Lokpobiri, according to a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by his Special Adviser, Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, had to visit various traditional rulers.
The statement read in part, “One of these meetings took place with the Pere of Ekpetiama clan and Chairman of the Traditional Rulers’ Council of Bayelsa State, King Bubaraye Dakolo.
“In this engaging encounter, the minister stressed the imperative of collective efforts in curbing pipeline vandalism and oil theft. He called on His Royal Majesty to utilise his esteemed position to rally other traditional rulers in the state for a unified front in addressing these challenges.
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“Recognising the crucial role traditional leaders play in the socio-economic fabric of the region, the minister emphasised the need for a joint commitment to securing the oil infrastructure.”
Lokpobiri extended his courtesy visit to the King of Nembe Kingdom and former Minister of Petroleum, Edmund Daukoru.
“The discussions during this meeting were focused on the importance of collaborative action in ensuring the security of pipelines and combating illicit activities in the oil sector,” the statement added.
In another engagement, Lokpobiri met with the Pere of Kumbowei Kingdom, Boloye Embareba.
The discussions with Embareba revolved around the need for collaboration between the government and traditional rulers to effectively address security challenges and enhance crude production.
This ministry stated that the visits underscored the Federal Government’s objective of increasing crude production by actively engaging with traditional rulers to build a strong and enduring alliance with local leaders and fostering a secure environment conducive to sustainable growth in the oil industry.
News
Back To School: Lions Club Distributes Educational Materials In Edo Schools

The Benin Etete Unique and Edo Heritage Lions of the International Association of Lions Club on Friday jointly distributed educational materials to two schools in Benin City as part of the association corporate services to humanity.
The two clubs in District 404-A4 Lions Nigeria, jointly carried out the distribution of notebooks, maths sets, school bags and sandals, pens and other writing materials to excited pupils in Ivbioba Primary School and Oghede-Ivioba Primary School, Ugbighoko, Egor Local Government Area, and Evbiyenava Primary School, in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
Themed, Back to School Project, pupils were also engaged in Reading Action Program (RAP) and Spelling Bee Competition, after which winners were presented with special prizes.
In their remarks, Lions Darlington Uyi and Franca Nikoro, presidents of Benin Etete Unique and Edo Heritage Lions Clubs stated that the vision of the Lions International is to serve humanity.
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They, therefore, tasked pupils on commitment to their studies in order to attain their fullest potentials in life.
“Emulate Lions in your visions for tomorrow. We have various professionals as members, and if you are committed to your studies, obedient to your parents and teachers, you will attain great heights,” Lion Uyi Darlinton Stated.
“Our vision is to serve, and we are here like we do every period to ensure Literacy is inculcated in pupils to enable them to attain their full potential. It is our earnest desire that you grow into well rounded personalities. Literacy is important in order to actualize that aspiration,” Franca Nikoro stated.
Earlier, in his address, Lion Sir Dede Henry Idemudia, Zone 6A Chairperson, tasked the pupils on good conduct, honour to parents and guardians and obedience to instructions of school authority.
News
NAFDAC Gives Nigerian Food Companies 18 Months To Cut Trans Fats

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has set an 18-month grace period, effectively giving food companies until early 2026 before facing full enforcement of regulations to eliminate industrially produced Trans-Fatty Acids (TFA).
The initiative, launched as a comprehensive strategy and roadmap for TFA regulation, moves Nigeria from simply having the policy to enforcing its world-class standard: a regulatory limit of no more than two grams of industrially produced trans fat per 100 grams of total fat or oil.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasised that the roadmap moves the country beyond policy creation to aggressive enforcement and implementation.
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This was contained in the NAFDAC DG’s keynote speech posted on the agency’s official X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
Adeyeye stressed the moral imperative of the Agency’s mission.
“The removal of industrially produced trans fats from the food chain is not only a technical achievement, but a moral imperative.
“Eliminating industrially produced trans fats is possible, achievable, necessary, and urgent,” Adeyeye stated, calling for national collaboration.
The moratorium period is designed to allow manufacturers to exhaust existing stock with outdated labels and reformulate their products to comply with the legal limit.
READ ALSO:NAFDAC Seals Illegal Chemical, Water Firm In Abuja
NAFDAC’s action targets a dangerous dietary risk factor strongly linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and premature death globally.
Adeyeye emphasised the significance of the move beyond technical compliance, noting, “The removal of industrially produced trans fats from the food chain is not only a technical achievement, but a moral imperative.”
This aggressive step builds upon Nigeria’s existing reputation; the country was recognised by the World Health Organisation in 2023 for adopting best-practice TFA elimination policies.
The new roadmap is key to securing WHO validation of Nigeria’s full TFA elimination programme, establishing the nation as a regional leader in public health interventions.
News
Mohbad’s Father Urges Lagos AG To Prosecute Wife, Nurse, Others

Joseph Aloba, the father of late singer Mohbad, has urged the Lagos State government to initiate criminal proceedings against individuals named in the coroner’s inquest into his son’s death.
Mohbad passed away on September 12, 2023, following an injection administered by auxiliary nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe.
Despite being buried the next day, public outcry and ongoing investigations led to the exhumation of his body on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy.
In a letter dated October 3 and addressed to the attorney general of Lagos State through his lawyers, Aloba demanded that criminal charges be filed against those indicted within 14 days.
READ ALSO:Mohbad: Naira Marley Speaks In New Video
“Specifically, we refer to persons indicted by the coroner’s verdict hereunder: Miss Ogedengbe Fisayo, indicted for unlawful medical practice and gross medical negligence; and Mrs. Omowunmi Aloba, indicted for negligence,” the letter reads.
“This includes Ibrahim Owodunni, a.k.a. Prime Boy, and others who either facilitated the invitation of the auxiliary nurse or refused to take him promptly to a recognised medical facility for treatment.”
Mohbad’s father said he was concerned that despite the coroner’s clear verdict, no prosecutorial steps had been taken against those indicted nearly three months after the judgment.
He asked the attorney general to exercise prosecutorial powers within the 14 days, or, in the alternative, grant him and his legal team a fiat to prosecute the matter on behalf of the state.
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“Our Client, as a bereaved father desirous of ensuring that justice is done and seen to be done, is deeply concerned that notwithstanding the clear indictments contained in the Coroner’s Verdict, no prosecutorial steps have been taken against the aforementioned persons since the delivery of the Verdict on 11th July, 2025,” the letter reads.
“The judicial observations amount to clear indictments warranting the prosecution of the said individuals in order to give full effect to the Coroner’s findings and recommendations, and to ensure that justice is manifestly and adequately served in this matter.
“We request that you exercise your prosecutorial power on the above subject matter within 14 Days Next, in view of the high sensitivity of this matter and the public attention and outrage it has generated.”
In October 2023, Naira Marley and Sam Larry were arrested over allegations linking them to Mohbad’s death, but were released on bail after five weeks in detention.
By February 2025, a magistrate court cleared them of any involvement in the singer’s demise.
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