NEWS
Reps Ask FG To Lift Ban On Selling Petrol At International Borders
The Federal Government was formally requested to relax the prohibition on the selling of petrol in the 20-kilometer radius surrounding villages by the House of Representatives yesterday.
Additionally, it called on the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, and other pertinent government bodies to guarantee that the ban was immediately lifted and to permit properly registered fuel stations in the impacted localities to receive petroleum products.
The call followed the consideration of a motion moved at plenary by Adegboyega Nasir Isiaka.
Presenting the motion, Isiaka said the Customs Service in November 2019 announced the ban on sales and supply of petroleum products in the communities.
Isiaka, while acknowledging that the ban was necessary to stop smuggling of subsidised petroleum products, appealed to government to do the needful now that subsidy had gone, to reduce the hardship it had caused communities.
“The ban has continued to impact negatively on the socio-economic activities in the affected areas,” he said.
Adopting of the motion, the House mandated its Committee on Customs and Excise (when constituted) to ensure implementation.
Meanwhile, the Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, Mr Wale Adeniyi, said yesterday not all the nation’s land borders had been reopened.
The acting CG also affirmed that there had been seizures of smuggled fuel at the borders, adding that it would take some time before the issue of smuggling of fuel across the border would completely dissipate.
Fielding questions from State House correspondents after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Adeniyi said the Federal Government had not ordered that all land borders across the country be opened.
Recall that there have been speculation that the president had approved the reopening of all land borders upon his inauguration in office.
The borders that were not among the chosen key ones that were reopened in 2022, however, remained closed, according to the acting comptroller general, despite the fact that a careful assessment of the situation was still being conducted.
He stated that he intended to travel to the Republic of Benin to speak with their Customs office as part of efforts to improve border security and regional integration.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s security situation following deadly bomb attacks in Maiduguri, warning that terrorism is making a dangerous comeback.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Atiku condemned the coordinated explosions that rocked parts of the city, describing them as a troubling sign of renewed insurgent activities.
He noted that the return of suicide bombings, once believed to have been largely defeated, poses a serious threat to national stability.
SEE MORE: ‘Insults Against Obi Only Help APC Stay in Power – Atiku
23 killed, 108 injured in Maiduguri bomb blasts
The attacks, which occurred on Monday night, targeted the Maiduguri Monday Market, a post office, and an area near the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
At least 23 people were confirmed dead, while over 100 others sustained injuries, leaving families in anguish as they search for missing loved ones.
Reacting to the development, Atiku warned that the resurgence of terrorism could erode public confidence in the government’s ability to protect its citizens.
He stressed that Nigerians are more interested in concrete results than official condemnations of attacks.
While acknowledging the sacrifices of security operatives, the former vice president urged the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently review its security strategies to address the growing threats.
He also criticised the government’s handling of insecurity, alleging that more attention appears to be given to political matters than to tackling the worsening security challenges across the country.
Atiku further cautioned against politicising national security, noting that terrorism affects all Nigerians regardless of political affiliation.
He called for unity, decisive action, and a renewed commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
Meanwhile, security agencies have confirmed the incidents and launched investigations into the coordinated attacks as efforts continue to restore calm in the affected areas.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched a 5-day Hands-on Oracle Primavera P6 Training in Rivers State, targeting 50 participants.
The training, being executed by Mathnebi Nig. Ltd, commenced today, March 16th and will run until Friday, March 20th.
The intensive hands-on program aims to equip participants with practical skills in project management using Oracle Primavera P6, enhancing their capabilities in the energy and construction sectors.
The NCDMB’s sponsorship of the training underscores its commitment to boosting local capacity and driving Nigeria’s economic growth through skills development.
ALSO READ: Senate Approves Abe as Chairman, NUPRC Board
The training is expected to benefit participants and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s project management landscape.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Mr. Taiwo Oyedele as Nigeria’s new Minister of State for Finance at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
The swearing-in ceremony took place shortly after the Senate confirmed Oyedele’s nomination last Wednesday.
Oyedele, 50, from Ikaram, Akoko in Ondo State, brings over two decades of experience in fiscal policy and tax administration.
ALSO READ: SERAP Asks Tinubu To Probe N5.9bn Spent On NNPC Rebranding
He previously chaired the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system, introducing zero income tax for Nigerians earning N800,000 or less and exemptions for small businesses with turnovers below N50 million.
During his Senate screening, Oyedele described his appointment as “a call to serve at a critical time when Nigeria faces significant fiscal challenges and remarkable opportunities.”
He replaces Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
Oyedele also spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, held executive programs at top global institutions including the London School of Economics and Harvard Kennedy School, and currently serves as a professor at Babcock University.
The minister’s appointment signals a continued focus on implementing the Tax Reform Acts, which took effect on January 1, 2026, and aim to simplify Nigeria’s tax system while boosting economic growth.
Maiduguri Blasts: Atiku Warns of Terror Resurgence, Slams Govt Response
Ex-FCT Senator Dumps PDP Over Internal Crisis
NCDMB, Renaissance Africa Train Pipeline Engineers
NLNG Inducts 103 Trainees Into Empowerment Scheme
NCDMB Sponsored Oracle Primavera P6 Training Underway In Rivers State
Senate Approves Abe as Chairman, NUPRC Board
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
