Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Lagos to commission the new corporate headquarters of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited.

Shettima, who is the Special Guest of Honour at the event, is expected to deliver the keynote address and officially commission the facility alongside Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other government and private-sector leaders.

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The development was disclosed by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President on Friday.

Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited is an indigenous oil and gas company involved in the importation, supply, distribution and storage of petroleum products, as well as crude oil export activities.

The investment is being positioned in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda of mobilising private capital, strengthening indigenous businesses and expanding the role of the private sector in Nigeria’s economic development.

The Tinubu administration has continued to emphasise private-sector-led growth and investment mobilisation as key components of its development strategy, with a focus on job creation, increased productive capacity and a more competitive economy.

The commissioning brings together senior government officials and private-sector stakeholders as the administration seeks to encourage greater domestic investment and enterprise development.

Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has reacted to reports of arrests involving members of the Obidient Movement in Akwa Ibom State, saying Nigeria’s independence means little without freedom.

Obi, in a statement posted on X on Friday, said citizens should be able to express themselves within the bounds of the law without fear.

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“As we continue to reflect on Nigeria’s Independence, we must remember that independence means very little if citizens cannot freely express themselves, within the bounds of the law, without fear,” he said.

His comment came after the reported arrest of Elijah Noah, the Akwa Ibom coordinator of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, during an attempted Independence Day march in Uyo.

Reports also said police fired tear gas as supporters gathered for the planned march, while Obidient Movement coordinator in the state, Dr Ben Smith, was later reportedly arrested after going to facilitate the release of detained members.

The development followed a directive by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for political parties, groups and associations to reschedule rallies, meetings and processions planned for Independence Day, citing security concerns.

Reacting to the reports, Obi said the arrest of Nigerians for identifying with the Obidient Movement should concern anyone who believes in democracy and freedom.

“One of the greatest tragedies of our society is that people who once described themselves as freedom fighters can become defenders of oppression when they eventually occupy positions of authority,” Obi said.

He added that those who had previously complained about injustice should not become comfortable with it when it is perpetrated against people they disagree with.

“That must not be the Nigeria we accept,” he said.

Obi said Nigeria’s independence should ultimately mean freedom from fear, injustice, intolerance and abuse of power.

“Our independence must ultimately mean freedom from fear, injustice, intolerance and abuse of power.

“Nigeria must belong to all of us,” he added.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, has said the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) now has a clear schedule for student loan payments based on submissions from institutions.
Ahmad made the disclosure while responding to concerns over alleged delays in the payment of student loans.

The minister acknowledged that there were challenges when the scheme initially commenced but said NELFUND and institutions have become more familiar with the process.

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“I wouldn’t say there is much delay in the payment because as I said, NELFUND now has a clear schedule for payment based on submission from the institutions,” she said.

“When it started, I said we had issues, but now we are used to the system now. The universities are familiar with the system, NELFUND itself is more familiar with the institutions and how it works.”

Ahmad also explained that complaints about delays may sometimes arise from individual cases or misunderstandings of the payment process.

She further clarified that students are required to apply for the NELFUND loan every academic year and are not automatically covered for the duration of their programmes after their initial application.

“You need to apply every year because we don’t know whether you are still interested in getting that loan,” the minister said.

According to her, students’ financial circumstances can change, meaning that a student who required the loan in one academic year may no longer need it in another.

Ahmad stressed that students are not compelled to take the NELFUND loan, adding that those who wish to benefit must apply before they can be paid.

She disclosed that more than 1.6 million students have so far keyed into the NELFUND scheme.