News
Obi Decries Nigeria’s ‘Wasteful’ COP28 Delegation
Published
5 months agoon
By
EditorThe flagbearer of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential polls, Peter Obi, has criticised Nigeria’s 1411-member delegation to the ongoing UN climate summit in Dubai.
In a statement on Sunday via his X account, Obi said, “In a twist of sad irony, let me congratulate the giant of Africa, Nigeria, for matching the great China, with the same number of contingents at COP28 in Dubai.
“While China’s budget for 2024 is about $4 trillion, Nigeria’s budget is about $33 billion. Most importantly, the vast majority of those in the Nigerian delegation…are either non-relevant civil servants or relations, friends and hangers-on of high government officials,” he lamented.
READ ALSO: Reject Wike’s Plan To Spend N15bn On ‘Befitting Residence’ For VP, SERAP Tells Akpabio
Obi queried the rationale behind the huge contingent attending the summit at public expense when “most of them hardly understand or have anything to do with climate change,” even as “most Nigerians can hardly afford food and basic needs.”
The former Anambra State governor hoped “a day will come soon enough when we can focus on competing with China on productivity and the miracle of migrating the highest number of citizens out of poverty.”
“As we have kept emphasising, we must stop waste as a tradition of our government and nation. We need to tie spending to necessity and national priority,” Obi advised.
He reiterated that “a new Nigeria is possible. We only need to do the reasonable and necessary.”
You may like
Nigeria Ranks 109 In World Hungry Nations – Peter Obi Laments
It’s Disheartening Ukraine Now Donates Food To Nigeria, Peter Obi Laments
Christmas: Obi Seeks Special Prayers For Nigeria
Obi, Not Tinubu, Won 2023 Presidential Election – Ex-SGF, Babachir Lawal Reveals
Tinubu’s Certificate Saga: Peter Obi Rejects Atiku’s Invitation
PEPT: You Should’ve Emulated Jonathan – Ben Bruce To Obi, Atiku
News
Lagos, Ondo, Taraba Top In Highest Okada Fares In March – NBS
Published
12 hours agoon
April 28, 2024By
EditorA recent National Bureau of Statistics report shows Lagos, Ondo, and Taraba recorded the highest Okada (motorcycle) fares in March.
The data indicates substantial differences in transportation costs across various Nigerian states.
In March 2024, the average fare for Okada rides per trip in Nigeria rose by 2.15% compared to the same period last year, with fares reaching N472.16, up from N462.21 in March 2023.
This was contained in the most recent National Bureau of Statistics Transport Fare Watch report for March 2024, published on the agency’s website.
READ ALSO: Ondo 2024: lT Expert Emerges As SDP Candidate
However, fares in Lagos, Ondo, and Taraba states were notably above the national average for March 2024.
Lagos had the highest Okada fare at N850 per trip, with Ondo following at N725 and Taraba at N670, illustrating significant differences in transportation costs across regions.
Imo and Yobe states, with average Okada fares of N655 and N630 respectively for March 2024, ranked fourth and fifth among Nigerian states for the highest motorcycle journey costs per trip.
News
Trouble Looms As OAU Students Threaten Shut Down With FG Over Fuel Crisis
Published
12 hours agoon
April 28, 2024By
EditorThe students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University said on Sunday, said the challenges faced by students due to the sudden surge in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit and the scarcity of the product have reached unprecedented levels.
The President of the union, Abbas Ojo, in a statement released on the campus in Ile-Ife, Osun State, and sent to The PUNCH, urged the Federal Government to immediately address the issues.
The union threatened to hit the streets in protest if the situation persisted.
Since the weekend, queues have surfaced across some filling stations in Ogun and Lagos states as some stations also remained shut.
The PMS also known as petrol has been selling between N700 and N800 at some filling stations. Some persons claim to buy the fuel at prices higher than N800 in Lagos and Ogun with the situation causing a hike in transport fares.
READ ALSO: Residents Displaced As Rainstorms Wreck Havoc In Edo Community
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited had said some supply issues were responsible for the queues, urging customers to exercise patience.
A resident, Tomisin Bakare, who said he bought PMS from a filling station around the Lagos State University-Igando axis stated that he was shocked when the attendant said fuel was N700 per litre.
“This is after I had already spent over 50 minutes in the queue,” he added.
According to the students’s union president, the situation is not different in Osun, particularly around the campus environs where he noted bus drivers had increased fares.
“We, as students, can no longer endure the burden imposed by the government’s economic policies,” Ojo said.
READ ALSO: 86-year-old Injured As Fire Guts Building In Kwara
“Last year, when the decision to remove fuel subsidy became public knowledge, many, including students, harboured doubts about its impact on the nation’s economy. Even those who supported the removal of subsidies were skeptical, given the absence of concrete plans to alleviate the ensuing challenges,” he added.
President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, during his swearing-in, announced the removal of fuel subsidy. Since then, Nigerians have been grappling with harsh economic realities coupled with the depreciation of the naira against the dollar.
“From soaring electricity tariffs to the skyrocketing cost of living, the adverse effects of the government’s capitalist policies have spared no one.
“Despite these challenges, students persist in their pursuit of education and academic endeavours. However, recent events such as fuel shortages and fluctuating prices have left students stranded both on campus and outside campus,” Ojo stressed, noting the students had been pushed to limits.
The union demanded immediate action from the FG to address the fuel scarcity, curb suspected hoarding of fuel, and regulate prices.
“We also demand that the government should revive the country’s refineries. The government must not test our will by not addressing these demands within the next 48 hours. Failure to do so, we shall hit the streets till the government addresses the fuel crisis which constitutes a threat to our academic pursuit,” the statement added.
Popular Gospel singer Morenikeji Adeleke, also known as Egbin Orun, is dead.
Her colleague Esther Igbekele, confirmed the death in an Instagram post on Sunday.
The gospel singer expressed shock and sadness, sayin Egbin Orun departed suddenly without bidding farewell.
According to her, the two had recently spoken, unaware of the impending tragedy.
READ ALSO: How God Saved Me From Firing Squad – Gospel Artiste, Buchi
Igbekele praised Egbin Orun’s beauty, kindness, and strong support for her ministry.
She wrote, “I got home from my program to hear about this great loss.. Prophetess Morenikeji Egbin Orun you left without saying goodbye..
“We spoke together last week not knowing you are about to embark on a journey to the great beyond.. You are such a beautiful and kind hearted woman and a very good supporter of my ministry.
READ ALSO: Outrage As Kingsmen Flogged Anambra Man To Death [VIDEO]
“I am deeply saddened with your demise but God knows best. You will be greatly missed and your good deeds will continue to linger in our hearts.
“Ah Egbin Orun. Good night! Keep resting in the bosom of Christ.. Ah Gone too soon..Yeeee.”
The cause of her death remains undisclosed and no official statement has been issued.
Delta Police Kill Suspected Kidnapper, Rescue Victims, Arrest Armed Robber Cultist
Gunmen Assassinate Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Campaign Coordinator In Ondo
Five Injured As Vehicles Collide In Lagos
Trending
- News5 days ago
Drama! Supporters Of Yahaya Bello Perform Rituals to Prevent His Arrest By EFCC [Video]
- News5 days ago
VIDEO: Force PRO Orders Arrest Officers Caught On Video Bashing Driver’s Car
- News4 days ago
Edo: FRSC Threatens Sanction On Truck Drivers Loading Goods, Passengers Together
- Headline3 days ago
Saudi Arabia Opens First Alcohol Store, Nigerian Muslims React
- Metro5 days ago
Edo Cultists Kill Rival In Daughter’s Presence, Abandon Getaway Car
- Headline4 days ago
VIDEO: Meet Nigerian Pastor Who Predicted World Will End April 25
- News4 days ago
243 Passengers Cheat Death As Air Peace Plane Makes Emergency Landing At Lagos Airport
- Metro4 days ago
JUST IN: Four-year-old Boy Dies In Abuja School, Parents Suspect Foul Play
- Metro4 days ago
JUST IN: Protesters Storm APC Secretariat, Demand Ganduje’s Resignation
- News5 days ago
JUST IN: Wike’s Loyalist Rejects Fubara’s Redeployment, Resigns As Rivers Commissioner