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Nigeria’s Kerosene Conundrum

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ABUJA – In Nigeria, a dispute over oil finances is so contentious that the public has spent months debating what would appear to be a straightforward question: Is kerosene subsidized?

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. says it spends between $1 billion and $3 billion a month to lower the price of kerosene to 25 cents a liter. That’s a more affordable rate for the nation’s 170 million people, most of whom make less than $2 a day, and many of whom use kerosene to cook.

However, nowhere in Nigeria is kerosene sold for 25 cents a liter. Government statistics show gas station prices starting around 90 cents.

If the state oil company is spending billions of dollars to subsidize kerosene, why is it so expensive? The NNPC says it doesn’t know.

In an email, NNPC Group Managing Director Andrew Yakubu said it is possible oil traders are buying up all of the subsidized kerosene and taking it across borders, which is forcing gas stations to buy and sell kerosene at international prices. The best solution, Mr. Yakubu said in the email, is for Nigerians to simply switch to cooking gas.

The questions don’t end there. The NNPC was ordered to stop subsidizing kerosene in a June 2009 letter from President Umaru Yar’Adua, which was viewed by The Wall Street Journal. And four months later, the NNPC sent a letter back, saying it would stop subsidizing kerosene.

Now, the NNPC says the president at the time never published that order in a newspaper—a legal requirement to put it into effect.

It isn’t clear how oversight would have occurred. In November 2009, Mr. Yar’Adua was hospitalized for heart disease. Six months later, he died.

The NNPC never mentioned it was subsidizing kerosene in budget statements submitted to Nigeria’s central bank from April 2012 to December 2013, according to the recently ousted Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi. On those budget statements, including several seen by the Journal, the NNPC put a dash in the column labeled “adjustment for subsidy,” indicating none.

The NNPC hasn’t issued a statement regarding those budget statements. A spokesman didn’t return calls or emails.

– WALLSTREET JOURNAL

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Reactions Continues To Trail Baltasar Engonga Sex Scandal

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Nigerian Socialite Pretty Mike Condemns Baltasar Engonga Amidst Scandal Involving Brother’s Wife and Married Women

In a recent development that has captured widespread attention, Nigerian socialite and entrepreneur, Pretty Mike, has publicly criticized Baltasar Ebang Engonga, the former Director-General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), following allegations of Engonga’s intimate relationships with his brother’s wife and multiple married women.

Engonga, 54, known for his influential position and close ties to President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has been embroiled in controversy after a raid on his residence reportedly uncovered over 400 explicit videos involving more than 300 women. The scandal has not only tarnished his reputation but also sparked discussions about ethics and abuse of power among high-ranking officials.

Pretty Mike, born Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu, is renowned in Nigeria for his flamboyant lifestyle and ownership of Club Uno in Lagos. He has often been a subject of media attention due to his unconventional appearances at events, such as attending weddings with multiple pregnant women. Despite his own controversies, Pretty Mike has taken a firm stance against Engonga’s alleged actions, emphasizing the sanctity of marriage and condemning the betrayal of familial trust.

Public reactions to Pretty Mike’s condemnation have been mixed. Some individuals commend him for speaking out against moral misconduct, highlighting the importance of holding public figures accountable. Others, however, question his position to criticize, given his own history of controversial behavior. This discourse reflects a broader societal debate on morality, accountability, and the responsibilities of those in positions of influence.

The scandal involving Engonga has prompted discussions about the ethical standards expected of public officials and the consequences of personal misconduct on professional roles. As the story continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the scrutiny faced by individuals in the public eye and the complex interplay between personal actions and public perception.

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Painkillers Damaged My Kidney, Says Ufoma McDermott[VIDEO]

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Nollywood actress, Ufoma McDermott has shared how her long-term painkiller use led to kidney disease.

In a recent interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, she opened up about her 12-year struggle with the illness and urged the public to prioritize their health.

While revealing that her condition was a side effect of long-term painkiller abuse, McDermott said; “I really wish everyone would understand the importance of health. My brother was diagnosed late on stage 4 of kidney disease and he goes straight into dialysis and has complications.

“I was diagnosed earlier, so I have lived on medication for almost 12 years now. When my brother I ran to my cardiologist. My parents were scared, thinking if this is genetic? We had to trace the kidney disease and we learned it was from drug abuse.

“I grew up with migraines, headaches and eyeaches, and I never wore my glasses because they made me look like a geek. I’d take painkillers for my migraine. I took strong painkillers and not the ordinary painkillers because I wanted the pain to go away.”

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Music Icon Quincy Jones Passes Away At 91

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Quincy Jones, the legendary music producer, composer, and cultural icon whose career spanned over seven decades, has passed away at the age of 91.

Jones died peacefully on Sunday night at his Bel Air home, surrounded by family, according to his publicist, Arnold Robinson.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” his family said in a statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

Renowned for his unmatched versatility, Jones collaborated with some of the greatest musical talents of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Will Smith. He played an integral role in producing Jackson’s groundbreaking albums Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad, which catapulted the pop star to global superstardom and earned Jones worldwide acclaim.

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Born in Chicago in 1933, Jones’ journey into music began early. His childhood introduction came from a neighbor’s piano playing and his mother’s singing. After moving to Washington state following his parents’ divorce, he honed his skills in his high school band and began playing with a young Ray Charles in Seattle’s vibrant club scene.

Jones’ career took off in New York, where he played trumpet in Elvis Presley’s early TV performances and worked with bebop legends like Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. By 1958, he was working with Frank Sinatra, arranging for the singer’s band at the request of Princess Grace Kelly. Their partnership flourished, spanning several projects including Sinatra’s final album LA Is My Lady in 1984.

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Jones’ talents extended into film and television scores, composing music for films such as The Italian Job, In the Heat of the Night, and the acclaimed The Color Purple, for which he earned three Oscar nominations. He also scored hit TV shows including The Bill Cosby Show and Roots.

In 1985, Jones produced and co-conducted the charity anthem “We Are the World” alongside Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, raising millions for Ethiopian famine relief. Despite personal and professional challenges—including surviving a near-fatal brain aneurysm in 1974—Jones’s career continued to thrive.

Jones’ influence wasn’t limited to music. In 1990, he founded Quincy Jones Entertainment, the company behind the popular sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which launched the career of Will Smith. His media ventures also included the creation of Qwest TV, an on-demand music streaming service, and the magazine Vibe, which celebrated Black music and culture.

Over his career, Jones earned 80 Grammy nominations, winning 28—making him one of the most decorated artists in the award’s history. Tributes poured in following news of his death. Actor Michael Caine, who shared Jones’ birthdate, called him “a wonderful and unique human being.” Music artists such as LL Cool J expressed gratitude, saying, “You were a father and example at a time when I truly needed one. Music would not be music without you.”

Jones is survived by his seven children, leaving behind an indelible legacy that will resonate through generations to come. His life’s work transformed music, television, and culture, proving that there truly was no limit to what Quincy Jones could accomplish.

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