Business
Senate invites Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu over lingering fuel scarcity
Due to the aggravating petroleum scarcity in the country, the Senate, yesterday, summoned the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, to appear before it today.
The development came just as senators of the Peoples Democratic Democratic Party, PDP, charged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately take charge of the country and live up to his campaign promises, which they noted, centred on positive change for the country. Kachikwu was summoned by the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), after the committee carried out on-the-spot assessment of the crisis in major filling stations within Abuja metropolis.
Members of the committee were angry that many filling stations were not selling the product due to alleged lack of supply from the NNPC depot at Suleja, leading to long queues of motorists waiting under the scorching sun for the non-available product. The committee’s Acting Chairman, Jibrin Barau, alongside two other members, said the Petroleum Minister must definitely appear before them today to explain what led to the situation and possibly proffer a lasting solution. Barau, who addressed journalists after the assessment of some filling stations, described the situation as not only pathetic but also bad, stressing that it must be urgently arrested. He said the development made the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to call on the committee to swing into action as a way of bailing Nigerians out of the crisis. He said: “This situation is very bad and unacceptable, hence the need for the minister to appear before us tomorrow (today), and unveil his plan of a way out to us. Even if he doesn’t have any plan yet out of the lingering problem, the Senate President and the entire members of the committee are more than ready to rub minds with him for that needed purpose.“ Live up to promise of change, PDP senators tell Buhari On his part, Senate Minority Whip and a member of the committee, Senator Philip Aduda, who said he was speaking for PDP senators, called on the Federal Government to arrest the situation fast by making fuel available to Nigerians, adding that what Nigerians needed was fuel and not blame game. He tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to live up to his campaign promises of delivering change to Nigerians.
According to him, what Nigerians are passing through at the moment is unacceptable. His words: “The government should look for petrol and ensure that it is given to the people. It is unacceptable, we are Nigerians and it will be bad for us to continue remaining on queues. If the APC leaders like, let them blame themselves, that’s their problem but the most important thing is for us to have fuel in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “That is what we are looking for and that is what we want. We want to see all these queues disappear.’’ Meanwhile, petrol marketers at various stations visited lamented that lack of supply and in adequate supply of petroleum products from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in recent time , resulted in product scarcity being witnessed across the country. Manager of Oando Filling station, Zone 4, who identified himself as Isa Friday, disclosed that it had been long the station got supply from NNPC depot at Suleja. Also, the manager of Forte Oil , opposite Transcorp Hilton in Maitama District, said only three fuel tankers were being supplied daily now, against the previous five or six. NNPC calls for calm Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, said yesterday it empathized with the difficulties Nigerians were going through due to the current fuel situation and assured that it and the government were not taking their patience for granted. According to the Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Garba Deen Mohammed, Nigerians should continue to be patient because difficulties being experienced as a result of the situation will soon be alleviated. He said: “We would like to assure all Nigerians that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources/Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, and everybody else associated with this situation are working round the clock to ensure relief is brought to Nigerians. “Our immediate concern is to make petrol available through the interventions and processes put in place so that the queues will disappear within the next one to two weeks. We have enough products lined up to ensure that the supply gap which created the problem is bridged. “In order to ensure effective distribution, we are working with Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), oil majors and over 1,000 NNPC staff nationwide to ensure we overcome the obstacles in the distribution of the products. “While not resorting to excuses, we would like to re-emphasize that the present management of NNPC and, indeed, the government inherited huge and complicated problems with respect to importation, distribution and pricing of petroleum products. “Nigerians would recall that N522,258,934,505 meant for payment of fuel subsidy, covering the last quarter of 2014 (October to December) and the entire 2015 was approved by the Senate in December 2015 in order to pay for subsidy arrears inherited by this government. “For long term solutions, the NNPC and the government are working to put in place machineries to ensure that our refineries are fixed and working optimally, while the pipelines which have been under attack for some time now are repaired. “The Direct Sale Direct Purchase (DSDP) arrangement for crude would commence in the first week of April and all these, coupled with the fact that the President has given his support to increase the crude supply to NNPC to ensure local sufficiency of products, will go a long way to solve the problems in the short and long term.”
*PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status
To prevent any misunderstanding regarding our affiliation with the United Nations, we hereby provide a formal clarification on the status and identity of the United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC), formerly known as IPGC.
UNIPGC is an independent Civil Society Organization and Non-Governmental Organization with continental chapters registered in the United States, Germany, Canada, and several countries across Africa. The organization is committed to promoting the values and principles of the United Nations, particularly in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), as well as advocating for good governance globally.
In furtherance of its mandate, UNIPGC has established partnerships with reputable diplomatic civil society organizations, including the United Nations Association of Nigeria and the United Nations Association of Ghana. These collaborations are aimed at strengthening its engagement with initiatives aligned with United Nations ideals.
Additionally, UNIPGC has entered into diplomatic relations with the International Organization for Economic Development (IOED), an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), to enhance its capacity for international cooperation and diplomatic engagement.
We wish to clearly state that UNIPGC is **not** an entity, agency, or organ of the United Nations.
Members of the public and media practitioners are respectfully advised to refer to the organization by its full and correct name: **United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC)**, and not as the United Nations.
Thank you.
Business
Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour
Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour
Laffmattazz, one of Nigeria’s foremost comedy and live entertainment brands, is pleased to announce its official partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for the highly anticipated Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour, themed “Next Chapter: A New Season of Laughter.”
Now in its 15th year, Laffmattazz—the brainchild of renowned Nigerian comedian Gbenga Adeyinka (Gbenga Adeyinka 1st)—has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its seamless fusion of comedy, music, and live stage performances.
The 2026 tour, which kicked off on Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2026 at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey. Building on over a decade of success across Nigeria, this year’s edition signals a bold expansion into the international market, with a multi-city run in Canada, alongside major stops in Akure, Abeokuta, and Lagos.
This strategic partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited underscores a shared commitment to excellence and innovation. It is also aligned with FirstBank’s First@Arts initiative—a significant and ongoing program dedicated to supporting the creative arts, entertainment, and cultural sectors. Through this initiative, FirstBank provides financing, advisory services, and actively fosters a sustainable value chain for artists and creative entrepreneurs, while supporting key industry platforms such as the Nigerian Entertainment Conference.
Speaking on the collaboration, the Laffmattazz team stated:
“We are delighted to welcome First Bank of Nigeria Limited as a strategic partner for the Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour. As we mark 15 remarkable years of Laffmattazz, this partnership reinforces our vision to take premium Nigerian entertainment beyond borders, while delivering even bigger, better, and more memorable experiences for our audiences.”
As a key partner, First Bank will enrich the tour through innovative customer engagement initiatives, experiential activations, and exclusive fan experiences across all tour locations.
With its distinctive blend of humor, culture, and live entertainment, the Laffmattazz 2026 Tour is poised to connect audiences across cities and continents, bringing laughter to thousands of fans worldwide.
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About Laffmattazz
Laffmattazz is a premier Nigerian comedy and entertainment brand, now in its 15th year, renowned for its vibrant live shows and nationwide tours. Founded by Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, the brand continues to deliver high-quality experiences that celebrate creativity, culture, and laughter.
About First Bank of Nigeria Limited
First Bank of Nigeria Limited is Nigeria’s oldest financial institution, widely respected for its legacy of trust, innovation, and customer-centric financial solutions that support economic growth and development. Through its First@Arts initiative, the Bank continues to play a pivotal role in empowering the creative industry and driving sustainable growth across the sector.
Business
MREIF is Better: FirstBank’s Mortgage Loan Is the Game-Changer for Home Ownership in Nigeria
MREIF is Better: FirstBank’s Mortgage Loan Is the Game-Changer for Home Ownership in Nigeria
Anyone who has tried to get a loan to buy a house in Nigeria knows the drill: endless forms, property valuation, and eventual down payment of a minimum 25% or more on the property. Sometimes, interest rates could go as high as 30% per annum, while the typical loan limit is N50 million.
Now, FirstBank is making homeownership more attractive.
FirstBank, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), has introduced the MREIF Home Loan. MREIF loan is a game-changer, offering a single-digit interest rate of 9.75% per annum, with a loan amount of up to ₦100 million and a repayment period of up to 20 years. This is perfect for salaried individuals, including Nigerians in the diaspora, looking to purchase homes in approved locations.
The MREIF loan stands out with its lower interest rate, higher loan amount, and flexible equity contribution as low as 10%. This makes it an attractive option for those seeking affordable homeownership.
You are one quick decision away from being a landlord.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy a home, FirstBank’s MREIF Home Loan is the smartest route to owning property in Nigeria today. Visit the FirstBank website https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal/loans/mreif-home-loan/ to get started.
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