Plans are not underway by the President Bola Tinubu-led government to reintroduce fuel subsidy, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Tope Ajayi, has said. Ajayi said this while reacting to a report that the president was considering temporary subsidy on petrol as a result of rising crude oil prices and foreign exchange rates. In a post via social media platform, X, Ajayi debunked the report. “There is no plan to reintroduce any form of fuel subsidy. There is no condition to support any increase in prices at this time.” “President Tinubu is convinced based on information before him that we can maintain current pricing without reversing the current deregulation policy by swiftly cleaning up existing inefficiencies within the midstream and downstream Petroleum sector,” he wrote. Earlier, Tinubu had assured Nigerians that there will be no increase in the pump price of petrol. Speaking through Ajuri Ngeale, his spokesman, Tinubu told Nigerians that there won’t be any increment for now. “This morning, I have the privilege of sitting down with his excellency president Bola Tinubu. As we discussed the current unfolding situation in the country as it relates to fuel supply and demand. “The President wishes first to state that it is incumbent upon all stakeholders in the country to hold their peace. We have heard very recently from the organized labour movement in the country with respect to their most recent threat. “We believe that the threat was premature and that there is a need on all sides to ensure that fact finding and diligence is done on what the current state of the downstream and midstream petroleum industry is before any threats or conclusions are arrived at or issued. “Secondly, Mr. President, wishes to assure Nigerians following the announcement by the NNPC limited just yesterday that there will be no increase in the pump price of petroleum motor spirit anywhere in the country. We repeat, the president affirms that there will be no increase in the pump price of petroleum motor spirit. “We also wish to affirm that the President is determined to maintain competitive tension within all sub sectors of the petroleum industry. He is determined to ensure that our policy drawn up as well as policy implemented follows the cue that there will not be any single one entity dominating the market. “The market has been deregulated. It has been liberalized and we are moving forward in that direction without looking back. “The President also wishes to affirm that there are presently inefficiencies within the midstream and downstream petroleum sub sectors that once very swiftly addressed and cleaned up will ensure that we can maintain prices where they are without having to resort to a reversal of this administration’s deregulation policy in the petroleum industry.” Since 29 May when Tinubu was inaugurated as president during which he announced the removal of subsidy on petrol, the pump price has tripled: from about N200 to about N600. This has led to increase in the prices of goods and services and has worsened the economic situation of millions of Nigerians. Palliatives announced by the president to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal have either not been implemented or their effects are yet to be felt by Nigerians

  Mamman Alakai, the commissioner representing Nasarawa state in the Federal Character Commission (FCC), has denied collecting money to secure employment for job seekers. Musa Ibrahim one of the potential beneficiaries had on Monday told the committee that he, alongside nine other persons, paid millions into the account of a linkman to Alakai, identified as Abdullahi Ibrahim. Alakai during his appearance on Tuesday before the house of representatives ad hoc committee investigating job racketeering by ministries, departments and agencies and mismanagement of the integrated payroll and personnel information system (IPPIS), said he had never received money from anyone for a job offer. “A traditional ruler in Nasarawa called to inform me that one of my aides collected money from him for job slots. I asked that the number be tracked by the police and I discovered it was Ibrahim. I wrote a petition to the police and he was traced,” Alakai said. “When they went to his house, the police found a uniform of the Nigerian Correctional Service. He claimed that he worked there. I was told that the people he defrauded have gone to court.” Alakai asked the committee to carry out an investigation into his bank account, saying “my account is open for the committee to scrutinise since Ibrahim claimed he paid money to me for job slots”. Yusuf Gagdi, chairman of the committee, said about nine people have brought their evidence of transfer to Ibrahim. He said Alakai was invited to appear before the committee to give evidence because Ibrahim had claimed he was working for him. Gagdi said the committee will not give room for any citizen to blackmail another person, expressing his displeasure over the absence of Ibrahim at the panel. “You cannot come and make public allegations against any public officer without coming to substantiate it,” he said. “We have nothing to say to you further because the people making allegations are not here if they are not acting a script, they should be here to give further evidence. “If you cannot justify that you pay money for any job slots with evidence, we will not allow any citizens to blackmail people without facts.”

  Senate President Godswill Akpabio says behavioural change is required to tackle the menace of corruption and failing social norms in Nigeria. Akpabio spoke on Tuesday at the national policy dialogue on corruption, social norms and behaviour change in Nigeria. He was represented at the event by Saviour Enyiekere, his deputy chief of staff. The dialogue was organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The senate president said behavioural change could be Nigeria’s single biggest instrument in addressing corruption and the destruction of social norms in the country. The process of behavioural change typically involves awareness and recognising the need for change and potential benefits and consequences associated thereof,” he said. “This affects gathering information, learning, and becoming aware of existing behaviours. It also involves motivation and developing the desire to change. “The motivation to change certain behaviours can be influenced by personal goals, values, social pressures, or external incentives. Essentially, behavioural change becomes possible when we educate and inform by providing accurate and relevant information about unacceptable behaviours, their consequences, and alternative options. “This helps individuals make informed decisions and understand the benefits of the change that we seek. I also believe that in achieving behavioural changes, incentives and rewards play a great role as they tend to reinforce desired behaviours. “Tangible rewards, recognition, or positive feedback that encourages individuals to continue or adopt new behaviours have the capacity to drive people towards new behaviours. “Therefore, for us as a country and a people desirous of delivering change to our society and through it, building a nation that caters for its people and makes its resources work for its people, we must use behavioural change as a tool to tackle the menace of corruption and failing social values in our country.” Akpabio added that tackling corruption involves transparency and accountability, noting that the 10th senate under his leadership is positioned to bridge existing legislative gaps in the fight against corruption. “However, institutions like the ICPC must enforce comprehensive anti-corruption laws that criminalize corrupt activities, and establish clear guidelines for ethical behaviours,” he said. “The extant laws of Nigeria have provided for the independence of the judiciary and effective law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute corruption cases. “I also believe that we must develop the courage to promote a culture of ethics and integrity in our schools. This is because fostering a culture of ethics and integrity in the society through education and awareness campaigns will help to promote such values as honesty.”

  President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday assured Nigerians that there will be no increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), or petrol, anywhere in the country. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, noted that the market has been deregulated and will remain so. He emphasised that government will address the inefficiencies within the midstream and downstream petroleum subsectors to maintain prices where they are without having to resort to a reversal of the administration’s policy in the petroleum industry. This comes less than 24 hours after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited said it had no plan to raise the pump price of petrol. In a terse statement on Monday night, the company urged Nigerians to disregard speculations of a fresh hike in the price of the premium product, an apparent response to the Nigeria Labour Congress’ (NLC) warning. The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, on Monday warned that it would embark on an indefinite strike in the event of another petrol price hike by the NNPC Limited. The Federal Government-owned company has repeatedly increased pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), or petrol, since the May 29 declaration of President Bola Tinubu that “fuel subsidy is gone”. From around N185, the prices skyrocketed to around N500, and again up to N617 last month. sparking outrage which culminated in a nationwide protest two weeks ago.

  The National Union of Air Transport Employees has directed the Aviation Security and logistics sub-sector to proceed on an immediate strike from Wednesday, August 16, 2023, following poor wages. This was contained in a circular sent to the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Commissioner of Police, Airports Command, the Airport Commandant, Director, Department of State Security, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos Command. The circular which was signed by the General Secretary of NUATE, Comrade Ocheme Aba, lamented that AVSEC graduates are paid a meagre sum of N30,000 monthly. He added that all efforts to negotiate improved wages for their members in the past proved abortive.

  The senator representing the Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, says the government of President Bola Tinubu inherited a terrible economic situation. According to the former National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), some of the decisions taken by the current administration are the first step towards revamping the economy. He added that President Tinubu and his deputy had shown courage and determination to stop the corruption of the subsidy regime and in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), while appealing to Nigerians to be patient.

  Kenya has reinstated a small subsidy to stabilize retail fuel prices for the next 30 days in the country. The development comes following public anger over the high cost of living. Al Jazeera reports that the the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), Kenya’s energy regulator, said oil marketing companies will be compensated from the Petroleum Development Fund. According to the regulator, the maximum retail price of a litre of petrol would remain constant at 194.68 shillings ($1.35) for the next month, shielding consumers from an increase of 7.33 shillings ($0.05). “In order to cushion consumers from the spike in pump prices as a consequence of the increased landed costs, the Government has opted to stabilise pump prices for the August-September 2023 pricing cycle. Oil Marketing Companies will be compensated from the Petroleum Development Fund,” the statement read in part. After taking office in September, President William Ruto removed fuel and maize flour subsidies put in place by his predecessor. Ruto said he preferred subsidizing production rather than consumption. The move, he said, was also aimed at cutting government spending as the government seeks to get a handle on debt repayments that have forced it to deny market speculation about a possible default. But the subsidy cuts as well as recent tax hikes increased living costs and contributed to violent anti-government protests in recent months.

  The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS to remove sanctions imposed on Niger to ease negotiations and prevent war. Addressing newsmen in Abuja, Convener of NEF, Professor Ango Abdullahi, emphasized that the safety of President Mohamed Bazoum and the return of constitutional order to Niger was non-negotiable but urged the ECOWAS to explore all options before resulting to war. His speech read by the NEF’s spokesperson, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed said: “The safety of President Bazoum and his family and restoration of the constitutional order must remain non-negotiable priorities. The military leaders in Niger must accord due cognizance and respect for the position of ECOWAS, whose fundamental principles and goals Niger Republic submitted to. “Active negotiations regarding President Bazoum and the plans of the military leadership in Niger should commence immediately. Nigeria is uniquely placed to engage the leadership of Niger Republic to accept these with the minimum of delay. “President Tinubu is Chairman of ECOWAS and leader of Nigerians. He should explore ways of balancing these responsibilities without doing any injury to the position of Nigeria and Nigerians in Niger Republic and the unity of the ECOWAS. “Nigeria should remove all sanctions and other measures intended to force the government and people of Niger into acquiescence. This will make negotiations led by Nigeria, using all assets that both countries value, easier to conduct. The Forum notes the apology offered by the military leaders in Niger to our President over the manner his envoys, General Abdussalami and His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto were received. “It advises that this should be treated as a sign of the respect and esteem with which Nigeria and President Tinubu are held by the putschists, which should not be wasted. We have also noted the other delegations of Mr. President who were well received. “The signs that Nigeria can be a major facilitator in triggering potentially useful negotiations are good, and we advise that these positive indicators should be built upon. Negative sanctions are affecting the morale and welfare of citizens of both countries, and they will detract from the existing positive disposition towards Nigeria’s position”. Abdullahi emphasized that the use of force against Niger should be completely ruled out, saying that it could hinder the restoration of constitutional order in the state and that Nigeria should not be involved in the use of force. According to him, “The use of force against Niger should be ruled out. It is unlikely to achieve the goals of restoring the constitutional order and improving the frontiers of democratic systems in West Africa. “It will compound the security and humanitarian crises in the ECOWAS region. It is likely to weaken and further divide the ECOWAS and provide greater access of non-African interests into the lives of Africans, with negative consequences. It will represent a setback in the goodwill which ECOWAS enjoys in Nigeria. In the event that force is used in Niger, it should not involve Nigeria, at all cost”. He added that: “The ECOWAS should actively re-assess the roles and designs of non-African interests in the West African region. In addition to multiple threats from armed groups in the Sahel and the region, we are becoming increasingly victims of global military manoeuvres and a scramble for our assets. “Ordinary Africans understand this, and they resent another wave of exploitation of our weaknesses and our resources by parts of the world who have little respect for Africa. African leaders must improve the quality of elections and governance so that African people can value and defend democracy in Africa with greater vigor. “NEF commends all leaders and persons of influence, including the Nigerian Senate, who are contributing to a genuine resolution of the situation in Niger Republic. We urge President Tinubu to recognize this unique moment in history and conduct himself in a manner that it records his role as defining statesmanship. “We appeal to the people of Nigeria and Niger, as well as our leaders, to resist any attempt to poison our centuries of invaluable relationship”

  Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lead counsel of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), says the distribution of flyers on the cancellation of Monday sit-at-homes, will continue. He also said some persons were using the sit-at-homes to remain relevant. “Sit-at-home is dead today because Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu said so – wonders of the handwritten note! The senseless sit-at-home completely stopped from the moment Onyendu’s handwritten note was published,” he said in a statement. “The exposition on the heinous criminal activities of fraudsters and bandits who feed on the vulnerability of our people, is yielding the desired result. They now resort to fabrication of unimaginable lies, concoction of grievous falsehoods, and relentless advancement of obvious false narratives to continue to remain relevant.” He also said those benefiting from the insecurity in the south-east are the same persons behind the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader. “This goes to show that those behind the insecurity in the south-east and benefitting from same, are the same people obstructing the release of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Ezigbo UmuChineke, kindly be reminded that the sensitisation and distribution of the flyers as authorised by Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, shall continue. Our people are now better informed. “May God continue to bless Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for his abiding love for his dear people – the Biafrans; and may God bless us all.” IPOB commenced distribution of flyers across the south-east to notify residents of the cancellation of Monday sit-at-homes last week. Emma Powerful, IPOB spokesperson, had said the sit-at-home directive is dead and that anyone caught enforcing the order would be dealt with.