Other News
Nymex Rises as Refiners Cut Stockpile
NEW YORK – U.S. crude oil prices pulled back from Wednesday’s highs but retained their gains after domestic stockpiles posted a smaller-than-expected decline.
The Energy Information Administration said the amount of crude oil stored in the U.S. fell by 5.6 million barrels last week, less than half the drawdown reported by the American Petroleum Institute late Tuesday. The trade group said oil stocks fell by 12.4 million barrels in the week ended Nov. 29.
Still, it was the first decline in stockpiles in 11 weeks, as refiners ramped up their production of gasoline, diesel and other products. Refiners boosted their operations by 3 percentage points to 92.4%, well above the average forecast of a 0.4-point rise in a Wall Street Journal survey of analysts.
Light, sweet crude oil for January delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange was recently up 0.8%, or 78 cents, at $96.82 a barrel, after rising as high as $97.53 in early trade.
Nymex crude also was boosted by news that TransCanada Corp. TRP.T -1.04% plans to bring a new pipeline into operation next month that will allow more crude to flow from the Midwest to Gulf Coast. The link of the Keystone pipeline from Cushing, Okla., to Port Arthur, Texas, can handle up to 700,000 barrels a day of crude.
“Expanded take-away capacity out of Cushing is expected to force big reduction in imports,” said Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch & Associates, referring to an escalation an already growing trend.
Cushing is the delivery point of the Nymex contract and prices for U.S. futures gained at the expense of ICE North Sea Brent crude, reflecting the potential for lower imports. ICE January Brent traded 55 cents lower, at $112.07 a barrel.
Traders said Nymex crude also gained on a report from private payroll company ADP that 215,000 U.S. jobs were added in November, more than economists’ forecasts for a rise of 178,000 jobs. The Labor Department’s jobs data due out Friday is being widely watched, as signs of economic recovery could provide hints about the timing of the Federal Reserve’s stated desire to reduce its economic-stimulus program.
Analysts said the market paid little attention to news that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed to keep its 30 million barrels a day output ceiling in place and to meet again on June 11. Oil ministers from Libya, Iraq and Iran said they expect their output to increase, meaning that OPEC will face tough talks on how to make room for that additional oil. Iran’s oil exports continue to be limited by sanctions but a preliminary six-month deal reached late last month with Western nations raises at least the potential that these sanctions could be loosened by the time of the June meeting.
– WALL STREET JOURNAL
Other News
LASTMA Alerts Motorists to Traffic Delays on Ogunnusi Road
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has alerted motorists to traffic delays along Ogunnusi Road towards Ojodu-Berger due to ongoing rehabilitation work.
LASTMA disclosed this in a post on its official X account on Sunday, stating that the road rehabilitation was being carried out by the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC).
According to the agency, “The ongoing work is affecting traffic flow, with vehicles moving at a slower pace in both directions.”
ALSO READ: Chaos On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway As LASTMA Shuts Otedola Bridge
To ease the situation, LASTMA said a contraflow arrangement had been introduced for motorists travelling from Omole Junction towards Vis Junction.
“A contraflow arrangement is in place for vehicles coming from Omole Junction towards Vis Junction to facilitate the movement of traffic,” the agency stated.
LASTMA added that its personnel had been deployed to manage traffic and ensure the continuous movement of vehicles around the affected area.
“Our personnel are on ground managing the traffic situation and ensuring the continuous flow of vehicular movement,” the agency said.
The traffic management authority advised motorists to remain patient and exercise caution while the rehabilitation work continues.
“Motorists are advised to exercise patience and drive with caution while the rehabilitation work continues,” LASTMA stated.
NEWS
Dangote Investments are Catalysts for Africa’s Economic Growth – AFC
Leading economists, financial experts and industry stakeholders have described the Dangote Group’s investments as major drivers of industrialisation and economic transformation across Nigeria and Africa.
The experts cited the Group’s impact on job creation, import substitution, foreign exchange conservation and economic competitiveness.
They voiced their thoughts at the Lagos Economic Summit themed “The Real Deal: Africa’s Greatest Investment Opportunity,” where they urged governments to implement policies that strengthen local industries and accelerate economic diversification.
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Samaila Zubairu, commended the Dangote Group’s sustained investments across Africa, describing them as critical to unlocking the continent’s economic potential.
He noted that while recent economic reforms have improved foreign exchange stability, strengthened reserves and eased inflationary pressures, the focus must now shift to growth in industry, productivity and employment.
READ ALSO: NMDPRA Shares July Domestic Cooking Gas Supply Details
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Muda Yusuf, said industrialisation remains the most effective path to sustainable economic development.
He called for better alignment of trade and industrial policies, stressing that local manufacturers require strategic support to compete effectively and drive broader economic benefits.
Founder and CEO of Nairametrics, Ugodre Obi-Chukwu, said Africa’s growing population presents a significant industrial opportunity, noting that investments such as the Dangote Refinery are helping to retain capital within the continent while strengthening local production capacity.
In his keynote address, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, said Nigeria is gradually transitioning from a consumption-led economy to one driven by investment and production.
He added that sustained investments in productive sectors will continue to stimulate growth, create jobs and improve living standards.
Participants at the summit also advocated stronger credit infrastructure, improved national identification systems and increased investment in skills development to enhance the productivity and global competitiveness of Africa’s growing youth population.
Photo Caption: From Left – Chief Economist, Dangote Industries Limited, Dr. Hassan Mahmud; Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru; Chairman of Occasion/Special Guest of Honour, Samaila Zubairu; Key Note Speaker Session 1, Bismarck Rewane; during the Real Deal: Africa’s Greatest Investment Opportunity, Sponsored by Dangote Industry Limited in Lagos on Thursday 3, September 2026.
Other News
VDM Fires Back at Police, Releases First ‘Evidence’ Over Kidnap Claims
Social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has released what he described as his first piece of evidence after the Nigeria Police Force challenged him to substantiate his allegations that some police officers allegedly collaborate with kidnappers.
VDM released a video on his Instagram handle on Thursday, August 27, 2026, shortly after the police invited him to provide evidence supporting the claims he made at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt.
SEE MORE: ‘Provide Evidence’ — Police React to VDM’s Explosive Kidnap Allegation
The activist captioned the video: “My evidence number 1.”
Recalled that VDM, who was a panellist at the NBA conference on Tuesday, had alleged that some police officers manning checkpoints along major highways provide kidnappers and bandits with information about travellers.
According to him, the officers allegedly relay details about the identities and movements of travellers to criminal groups, thereby facilitating abductions for ransom.
The allegation triggered a response from the Nigeria Police Force, which denied the claim and challenged VDM to substantiate his allegations.
The police invitation came as the force sought evidence to support the serious claims made by the social media critic.
In response, VDM released the video, describing it as his “evidence number 1”, signalling that he may provide further material to support his allegations.
The development has continued to attract attention, with the controversy placing renewed focus on allegations of possible collaboration between security personnel and criminal groups involved in kidnapping and banditry.






784675 124179Fascinating post. Ill be sticking about to hear much much more from you guys. Thanks! 961730