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Akume Inaugurates NUPRC, NALDA Boards

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The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on Tuesday charged members of the Board of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to uphold the highest standards of corporate governance, ensure accountability and transparency, and maintain regulatory independence in the discharge of their duties.

He gave the charge in Abuja during the inauguration of the NUPRC Board, alongside that of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), describing both ceremonies as critical milestones in the Federal Government’s drive to strengthen governance frameworks, deepen sectoral reforms and accelerate inclusive national development.

Akume said the inauguration of the NUPRC Board marks a key step in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), enacted to reposition the country’s petroleum sector through enhanced regulatory clarity, institutional independence and adherence to global best practices.

According to him, the Board, as the apex governance body of the Commission, is expected to provide strategic oversight, policy direction and institutional stability necessary to boost investor confidence, optimise revenue generation and promote sustainable development in the upstream petroleum sector.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity , Yomi Odunuga, Akume said “the establishment and inauguration of this Board underscore the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s upstream petroleum resources are managed transparently, efficiently and in the best interest of the Nigerian people”.

He noted that the appointments reflect a deliberate selection of individuals with proven competence, integrity and professional experience, expressing confidence that their collective expertise would advance the objectives of the PIA.

“Members of the Board, your charge is clear. You are to uphold the highest standards of corporate governance, ensure accountability and transparency, and work constructively with management and stakeholders while maintaining regulatory independence,” Akume said.

The SGF stressed that integrity, diligence and fidelity to the law must guide the Board’s decisions, noting that public trust and national interest depend on their stewardship.

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He added that the exercise aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises strong institutions, the rule of law and integrity in public service, noting that effective regulation of the upstream sector remains central to economic growth, energy security and fiscal sustainability.

In a separate ceremony inaugurating the NALDA Board, Akume reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to agricultural transformation as a key pillar of national development.

He described NALDA as a strategic vehicle for poverty eradication, food security enhancement, job creation and rural transformation, noting that its mandate to drive agricultural land development is critical to achieving national development goals.

The SGF highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the Renewed Hope Mega Farm Estates, designed as modern mechanised agricultural hubs with integrated irrigation, processing infrastructure and farmer settlements.

He also listed complementary programmes including the Renewed Hope Restoration Project for vulnerable groups, the Green Hope Project focused on climate-smart greenhouse farming, and the Aqua Hope Project aimed at expanding structured aquaculture systems.

According to him, these initiatives are already yielding positive outcomes in food production, employment generation and rural economic growth, while supporting the administration’s broader objective of economic diversification.

“As we look ahead, NALDA is expected to scale up its programmes across more states, strengthen the use of technology, and expand opportunities for youth and women in agriculture,” he said.

Akume emphasised that the NALDA Board would play a crucial role in providing strategic direction, effective oversight and management support required to consolidate the Authority’s gains and ensure the successful delivery of its mandate.

He urged members of both Boards to approach their assignments with a strong sense of duty, patriotism and commitment to national development, assuring them of the Federal Government’s support.

Responding on behalf of the NUPRC Board, Chairman, Senator Magnus Abe, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, pledging that the Board would not disappoint.

“We are very grateful to the President and we want to assure him through you that we will not disappoint him,” he said, adding that the Board would work closely with management to deliver on the objectives of the PIA.

Similarly, chairman of the NALDA Board, Kabir Abdullahi Barkiya, described the appointments as a call to service, assuring that the Board would provide sound governance, transparency and accountability in supporting the Authority’s mandate.

“As a Governing Board, our mandate is clear: to provide strategic direction, ensure sound governance, and uphold transparency and accountability in the discharge of our duties,” Barkiya said.

NEWS

200 Lecturers Resign from Kaduna Varsity as ASUU Threatens Indefinite Strike

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Students appeal to ASUU to suspend 7 months-old strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter, has raised the alarm over the resignation of more than 200 lecturers from the institution amid concerns over poor conditions of service and the non-implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement.

Chairman of ASUU-KASU, Dr Abubakar Abdullahi, disclosed this at a press conference in Kaduna on Monday.

Abdullahi said the lecturers, including professors, had left the university for newer institutions within and outside Kaduna State.

SEE ALSO: FG Warns ASUU Against Strike, Insists On ‘No Work, No Pay’ Policy

He attributed the mass exodus to poor remuneration and declining welfare conditions, noting that the situation could have serious consequences for teaching, research and academic development at the institution.

According to him, the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement, which took effect in January 2026, provided improved conditions of service for academic staff in Nigerian universities.

However, he said implementation had yet to commence at KASU, despite several letters written by the union to the university management and governing council.

He added that the Visitor to the university, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, had also been notified of the situation.

Abdullahi expressed concern that more than eight months after the agreement was signed, KASU had yet to commence implementation, while many federal universities and some state-owned institutions had already started implementing the agreement.

He said some universities had also announced timelines for the payment of accrued arrears.

The ASUU chairman said the delay had made KASU academic staff among the least-paid university workers nationwide and warned that continued inaction would lead to the accumulation of salary arrears from January 2026.

He further warned that replacing experienced academics who had left the university would take years and require significant resources.

“Replacing highly skilled academics would take years and require significant resources,” he said.

The union has consequently issued a two-week ultimatum to the Kaduna State Government and university authorities to implement and domesticate the agreement.

Abdullahi warned that failure to meet the demands within the stipulated period could result in a total and indefinite strike at the university.

He disclosed that the ASUU-KASU congress met on August 12 to review the situation and resolved to declare an industrial dispute.

According to him, the decision was consistent with a resolution of ASUU’s National Executive Council following its meeting at the University of Abuja on August 8 and 9.

Beyond the implementation of the agreement, Abdullahi listed other unresolved issues affecting members of the union, including university autonomy, excessive workload, promotion arrears, death benefits, group life insurance coverage, wage awards and pension remittances.

He urged the relevant authorities to urgently address the issues, saying timely intervention would help preserve peace and stability within the university.

The ASUU-KASU chairman also appealed to parents and other stakeholders to support efforts to avert industrial action.

He reaffirmed the union’s commitment to pursuing its demands through lawful means and expressed hope that the government and university authorities would take concrete steps before the ultimatum expires.

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International News

Ferrari’s First Electric Car Makes History With Record $40m Auction Sale

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Ferrari’s first fully electric car, the Luce, has made automotive history after a bespoke version of the vehicle sold for a record $40 million at a charity auction in California.

The tailor-made Ferrari Luce “Chassis 0” was sold during Monterey Car Week on Saturday, becoming the most expensive new car ever sold at auction, according to collector car auction company RM Sotheby’s.

The winning bid was 36 times the car’s original estimate of $1.1 million.

SEE MORE: Police Arrest Man For Driving Fake Ferrari In Italy

Ferrari USA celebrated the landmark sale in an Instagram post, saying, “The bids kept climbing. Then, history was made,” while describing the transaction as a new record for the highest-priced new car ever sold at auction.

The sale comes months after Ferrari unveiled the Luce in May. The electric model features a distinctive bubble-like design that differs significantly from the Italian automaker’s traditional angular styling and has received mixed reactions from some Ferrari enthusiasts.

Ferrari previously described the Luce as “a different sort of Ferrari for a different sort of Ferrari client.”
The Luce is powered by four electric motors, with one motor driving each of its four wheels.

The exclusive “Chassis 0” features a pearl-like semi-gloss finish with a personalised pigment that produces changing reflections ranging from green to violet when struck by light.

Its interior is equally distinctive, featuring Perla Le Mans metallic leather and black design elements against a predominantly white background.

Ferrari said proceeds from the record-breaking auction will go to The Ferrari Foundation to support educational initiatives.

Following the auction, the vehicle will return to Maranello, northern Italy, where it was built, before being delivered to the unnamed winning bidder in the first quarter of 2027.

Meanwhile, deliveries of the regular Ferrari Luce, priced at about €550,000 ($640,000), are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

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NEWS

ICPC Moves Against Corruption, Trains 100 Lake Chad Research Institute Staff

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FG Invites ICPC Over Diversion Of N-power Funds Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has sensitised 100 staff members of the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), Maiduguri, Borno State, on the need to uphold integrity, accountability and transparency in public service.

The Commission disclosed this via its X account on Monday, following a one-day anti-corruption education workshop organised at the institute’s conference hall.

SEE ALSO: BREAKING: Four Police Officers Arrested for Extorting ICPC Chairman in Abuja

The programme, themed “Promoting Integrity, Accountability, and Transparency in Public Service: The Role of Staff in Combating Corruption,” was aimed at equipping the institute’s workforce with knowledge of ethical standards and corruption prevention strategies.

Speaking during the programme, the Executive Director of the Lake Chad Research Institute, Professor Babagana Kabir, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to transparency and collaboration with anti-corruption agencies.

Kabir urged staff to embrace professionalism and integrity, warning that corruption undermines institutional effectiveness, research development and public confidence in government institutions.

The Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Mr Linus Gubbi, highlighted the strategic importance of the Lake Chad Research Institute to Nigeria’s socio-economic development, particularly its contributions to agricultural research, crop improvement and land-use strategies that affect food security across the Lake Chad Basin.

Gubbi warned that vital public research could not thrive in an environment affected by corrupt practices.

He noted that when public resources, research grants or administrative processes are compromised through favouritism, procurement irregularities or financial opacity, citizens who depend on the institute’s innovations ultimately suffer the consequences.

The RACC stressed that the fight against corruption is not the sole responsibility of anti-corruption agencies but a collective duty that begins with individual public officers.

A lead paper titled “Anti-Corruption and Work Ethics in Organisations” was presented by ACS Abba Dzikwi.

The presentation examined the legal framework for combating corruption, various forms of corrupt practices in public institutions and the consequences of unethical conduct.

It also emphasised the importance of strong work ethics to organisational efficiency, effective service delivery and national development.

Participants subsequently engaged the ICPC team during an interactive question-and-answer session, seeking clarification on reporting mechanisms, whistleblowing procedures and the Commission’s mandate.

The ICPC team reiterated the importance of confidentiality in handling corruption reports.

Gubbi also encouraged the institute to strengthen its internal controls and transparency mechanisms, assuring the management of the Commission’s readiness to provide guidance and support for institutional integrity initiatives.

In his concluding remarks, he urged participants to go beyond merely receiving the sensitisation and instead put the lessons into practice by challenging unethical practices and promoting a culture of service that reflects the highest standards of the Nigerian Public Service.

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