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Veteran Nollywood actor, Bob Manuel becomes an orphan, loses father

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It’s definitely one of the worst time for Veteran Nollywood actor, Bob Manuel Udokwu as he became an orphan Yesterday, November 22, 2016. He lost his aged father, Pa Geoffrey Nwafor Udokwu(Ononenyi) after losing his mother in 2013.

It was gathered that he died in his home town in Nkwelle Ogidi, Anambra state. Tributes and condolences have been pouring his for the deceased and the veteran actor.

Burial arrangement will be announced by the deceased family later. The Gulder Ultimate Search anchor is now a complete orphan as he lost his mother on July 20, 2013. She died at age 78.

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Nigeria’s Access to $602.95m USAID Grant in Limbo Amid Trump’s Aid Freeze

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Nigeria’s Access to $602.95m USAID Grant in Limbo Amid Trump’s Aid Freeze

Nigeria’s Access to $602.95m USAID Grant in Limbo Amid Trump’s Aid Freeze

 

Nigeria’s access to a crucial $602.95 million grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for 2025 is now under threat following a sweeping 90-day suspension of all USAID programs, implemented by US President Donald Trump.

The freeze follows an executive order signed by Trump in January 2025, shortly after his return to office. The order mandates a comprehensive review of all US foreign aid programs to assess their efficiency and alignment with American national interests.

The sudden freeze has disrupted multiple USAID-supported initiatives in Nigeria, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare, governance, economic development, and national security.

Nigerian Senate Investigates Terrorism Funding Allegations

The suspension also comes as the Nigerian Senate summoned intelligence chiefs to investigate allegations made by US Congressman Perry Scott. Scott accused USAID of indirectly funding terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram.

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, raised an Order of Urgent National Security to address the claims. Intelligence officials summoned include the heads of the National Intelligence Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency, Department of State Services, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

Impact on Health Sector: Funding for HIV/AIDS and Maternal Health in Jeopardy

The proposed USAID budget for 2025 allocated $368 million—nearly 89% of the total grant—to health-related initiatives. Among the programs at risk:

  • HIV/AIDS: $368 million was earmarked for Global Health Programs, with $322 million from GHP-State and $46 million from GHP-USAID.
  • Malaria and Tuberculosis: $73 million and $22 million, respectively, were dedicated to combating these diseases.
  • Maternal and Child Health: $33.25 million was allocated for maternal healthcare, with $22.5 million for family planning and reproductive health programs.
    Only $2.5 million was designated for water supply and sanitation, a critical need in Nigeria’s rural areas.

Emergency Measures by Nigerian Government

In response, the Nigerian government has approved $200 million to sustain healthcare services. The Ministry of Finance confirmed the funds will go toward vaccine procurement, antiretroviral drug distribution, and maternal health services.

Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, also revealed plans to engage 28,000 health workers who had been funded under USAID’s programs. The Federal Executive Council approved an additional N4.5 billion for the procurement of HIV treatment packs to support Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS.

Governance and Security Initiatives Face Uncertainty

Governance programs were set to receive $7.5 million under USAID, covering democracy, civil society engagement, and human rights initiatives. However, these programs are now in jeopardy as Trump’s administration reassesses its foreign policy priorities in Africa.

The aid suspension also places $7.6 million in security funding at risk, which was intended to bolster Nigeria’s anti-terrorism efforts.

Economic Development Programs Could Be Affected

USAID had allocated $39.6 million for economic growth initiatives, with $29.1 million designated for agriculture. Clean energy projects and private sector productivity were also slated to receive $5 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

Broader US Scrutiny of Foreign Aid

Between 2022 and 2024, Nigeria received $2.8 billion from USAID. However, the agency now faces heightened scrutiny after Congressman Perry’s claims that American aid funds were misused or diverted to fund terrorist organizations.

As the 90-day aid review progresses, Nigeria may be forced to rely more heavily on domestic resources or seek alternative support from the World Bank and African Development Bank. The Nigerian government, meanwhile, continues to navigate a diplomatic and economic crisis with far-reaching consequences for its development and stability.

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Dangote is committed to operational sustainability

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Dangote is committed to operational sustainability

Dangote is committed to operational sustainability

…He is a ‘global groundbreaker’, says Bandir

 

The Pan-African Conglomerate, Dangote Group has re-emphasized its commitment to sustainable practices in its operations across the nation.

 

The declaration came against the background of its partnership with the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADCCIMA) in the ongoing 2025 Kaduna International Trade.

 

Spokesperson for Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Anthony Chiejina who is the Group Chief Branding & Communication Officer while speaking with newsmen on the participation of the Group at the Fair said the company is irrevocably committed to sustainability because the well-being of the people is at the center of its operations.

 

 

He spoke just as the speakers at a Conference organized by the KADCCIMA at the fair thumbed up the investment activities of the Company across sectors and the need for government to deliberately put in placies aimed at encouraging local entrepreneur.

 

The Guest speaker at the Conference and the former Secretary to Adamawa State Government, Dr. Umar Buba Bindir, advocated for consistency in Government policies in supporting initiatives such as the establishment of Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a brand from Nigeria to blossom.

 

He described Aliko Dangote’s courage and commitment to the realization of the project in Nigeria as “a Global Groundbreaker”.

”Like I said during the presentation of my paper, government policies must be consistent in supporting local entrepreneur, local production, and value addition to businesses to take Nigeria to the next level.

 

“It is incredible for Dangote to have put up such a refinery. It is a global groundbreaker and for him to sustain his effort, and for coming across to Nigerians as someone who is dogged enough to even challenge the cartel that we know in Oil and Gas is incredible”.

 

Dr. Bindir said though Dangote refinery is in a free trade zone, it is however, a business strategy by the foremost entrepreneur who must have taken cognizance of its feasibility and realized the opportunities there.

 

Bindir, an Agricultural Engineer said Dangote has the capability to make an impact in Steel Development in the Country. According to him,  “there is no Country that has sprouted and unleashed its entrepreneurial energy in manufacturing that has not gone into Steel industry, and Dangote’s intervention in the sector would contribute to growth and development of the industry.

 

“I think he should go into the Steel industry because this Country with 250m people that require food, water, education, jobs for young people, infrastructure, export, particularly to African countries cannot be supported without a vibrant steel industry.

 

“And as someone who is well vast in industry, who can secure finances or investment in this area, and is internationally recognized in China, India and other countries where this industry is highly developed, with the doggedness and endurance that he has demonstrated in oil and gas, the cartel, and inconsistent government policies. I think it will be easier with the Steel industry.

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Nigeria Bans 60,000-Litre Fuel Tankers from March 1, Assures Public on Fuel Quality

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FG BANS 60,000-LITRE FUEL TANKERS FROM NIGERIAN ROADS FROM MARCH 1, DISMISSES CLAIMS ON FUEL QUALITY

 

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has announced a ban on 60,000-litre fuel tankers from operating on Nigerian roads, effective March 1, 2025 to mitigate truck-in-transit incidents.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, Ogbugo Ukoha, NMDPRA Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure, said the decision was made in response to the increasing number of road accidents involving heavy-duty petroleum tankers.

”The first stakeholder’s technical committee met today to drill down and put timelines for about 10 resolutions that had been taken on how to drive down the significant increase that had been observed in relation to trucks and transit incidents and fatalities, ” he said.

According to him, following deliberations involving key agencies including the Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), it was agreed that from March 1, 2025, any truck with an axle load of more than 60,000 litres of hydrocarbon will not be allowed to load at any depot.

”The important thing about this is that, for the first time, consensus was built amongst all stakeholders, and we’re continuing to encourage that we will work together cohesively to deliver a safe transportation of petroleum products across the country,” he said.

Ukoha dismissed recent claims questioning the quality of fuel in circulation across the country, describing them as bogus, misleading, and unscientific.

He assured Nigerians that all imported and locally refined petroleum products meet strict regulatory standards before being released into the market.

The regulator vowed to ensure compliance with petroleum industry standards and specifications, stressing that recent social media claims about the quality of fuel products in circulation are baseless and should be disregarded.

”The regulator would usually be more circumspect and not respond to every comment that is made in the public.

”But it’s important that people who dabble within the social media space are reminded that it is actually disrespectful, if you imagine that Nigerians are gullible.

”Innocent Nigerians are discerning enough to know that energies need to be directed positively. People who make unscientific claims, bogus data expertise are really not helping the situation.

”As a regulator, we’re working very hard in compliance with the presidential and statutory mandates we have to support the local refineries, to build capacity to the point that Nigerians will have sufficient products, and not just quality, but pricing is also done in a transparent, competitive and fair way.

”That’s the priority we have as the regulator, and that is what we concern ourselves with every day, ” he said.

Ukoha assured Nigerians that NMDPRA would continue to comply with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021 as well as the specifications set by SON.

”The standard organization specification includes parameters such as the research obtain number, the sulfur content, the density, the color, the oxygenate level, and many other parameters that you find within that.

”Before any product is distributed in Nigeria, the regulator ensures that from the load port of the product, whether from a domestic refinery or imported from outside the country, and as well as at the discharge port, accredited laboratories must test every product and duly issue certificates of quality to say that the product that is in the in the vessel meets those specifications.

”It’s only on that basis that products are then discharged and distributed across the country,’’ he said.

Ukoha further explained that that hydrocarbons are not pure compounds by nature, and as such, the regularly specifications provide a range of acceptable values, and tests results must fall within these specified limits to be deemed complaint.

Regarding specific parameters, Ukoha noted that sulphur content must be moderated in products, as higher levels can have corrosive effects and contribute to environmental pollution.

He said Research Octane Number (RON) affects engine performance and efficiency, while oxygenate levels play a role in optimizing RON for better engine functionality.

He clarified that colour differentiation, while not impacting quality, is a regulatory requirement under SON specifications to prevent misidentification.

”The only color in the current specification that is colorless is the ATK. From the sighting of the product, it is for you to tell that this is PMS because it complies with the color, separate from an AGO.

”Just imagine if you were to put the wrong product without the color into the wrong vehicle or the wrong engine. So these are the back end processes the regulator concerns itself and what we prioritize. You must meet those specifications; otherwise we will not let those products be distributed, ” he said.

NMPDRA executive director also disclosed that daily Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) supply, which averaged 66 million liters before subsidy withdrawal, now hovers around 50 million liters, with local refineries contributing less than 50 per cent of total supply.

”All of us have experienced a yuletide free from any scarcity. Let me reconfirm that from year to year, we saw an increase in the demand of PMS by 2021, 2022 up to 2023 and just before the current administration came in, the daily PMS supply sufficiency was always in excess of 60 million, averaging about 66 million a day for PMS.

”Following the President’s withdrawal of subsidy, the announcement on May 29 2023 we immediately saw a steep decline on consumption and between then and as we speak, we’ve continued to do plus or minus 50 million that’s considerable reduction in volumes.

”Of these 50 million liters, averaging for each day, less than 50 per cent of that is contributed by domestic refinement and so the shortfall, in accordance with the PIA, is sourced by way of imports.

”Let me also say that none of the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), that own refineries in country, have imported any PMS this year.

”The other OMCs are the ones that are importing the shortfall, and if we did nothing to meet to bridge that shortfall, we will have scarcity in our hands, and that’s something that the regulator is minded to do, ensuring that there is sufficient supply of petroleum products across the country.

”So just for clarity, the contribution of local refineries towards the sufficiency is less than 50 per cent currently between January and February 2025 is less than 50 per cent of what we require daily, and that shortfall is sourced by way of imports,” he said.

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