By Emmanuel Ogbeche There is a concerning narrative floating around. And that is the federal government should move against the trade unions in the oil and gas sector just as the brutal dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, did back in the days of his dictatorship. What a pity party! The argument of these pseudo-democrats is that the unions – PENGASSAN and NUPENG – are working to sabotage the country’s functional private refinery, the Dangote Refinery. If not for revisionism, it is utterly false equivalence to indulge in such expensive farce. To glorify a dictatorship that trampled on the civil rights of…
Author: National Update
Fresh details have emerged suggesting that late Arise TV news anchor, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, may have lost her life not only to armed robbery, but also to medical negligence. The 29-year-old broadcaster, fondly called “Sommie”, reportedly sustained life-threatening injuries after jumping from the second floor of her Katampe residence in Abuja while fleeing armed robbers in the early hours of Monday. Though rushed to a nearby hospital, insiders allege she was denied immediate treatment as staff insisted on a police report before administering care. The delay, sources say, proved fatal. The same attack also claimed the life of her residence’s…
Nigeria’s media community is reeling from shock after Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a promising news anchor and producer with ARISE News Channel, was killed during an armed robbery at her home in Katampe, Abuja, early Monday morning. Maduagwu, 29, popularly called “Sommie” by colleagues, was widely admired for her charm, intellect, and professionalism on screen. Before venturing into journalism, she trained as a lawyer, a background many said enriched her reporting style. In a statement mourning her passing, ARISE News described her as “a cherished member of our family, whose warmth and voice touched millions. Though her voice has been silenced,…
Associate Professor of Strategic Communication at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Dr. Sule Ya’u Sule, has called on journalists to strengthen unity and fraternity in the discharge of their duties for the greater good of society. Sule, a former Director-General of Media and Public Relations under ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, made the call on Sunday while sponsoring the maiden edition of the Correspondents’ Chapel “Tea Break” at the NUJ Press Centre, Farm Centre, Kano. He noted that beyond reporting, journalists also need platforms to unwind and bond, stressing that relaxed social interactions foster professional intimacy and collaboration. “I sponsored this event to…
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, working closely with the 10th National Assembly, is on course to defeat insecurity and drive economic prosperity for Nigeria. Abbas, speaking at “An Evening with 004” — an Independence anniversary youth engagement organised by the APC Youth Wing in Abuja — described Tinubu as his foremost mentor, hailing his ability to sustain relationships and political networks for over 40 years. The Speaker, who was honoured as Legislator of the Year (National Category) at the event, said the government’s mix of kinetic…
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State, Dr. Halima Sulaiman Zakari, has expressed confidence that the party will record a resounding victory in the 2027 general elections, crediting the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Umar Namadi. Speaking with reporters at the Federal Government College, Kiyawa, shortly after commissioning newly built and renovated hostel blocks, Dr. Zakari said the APC is poised to retain power both at the national and state levels with a “wide margin” over the opposition. “As far as I’m concerned, APC is doing very well in…
By James Aduku Odaudu Introduction Labour unions are vital in protecting workers’ rights, ensuring fair wages, and safeguarding welfare. In Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have historically played strong roles in defending their members. However, their ongoing conflict with the Dangote Refinery risks undermining not only a private enterprise but also Nigeria’s broader national economic interests. This is a fight that must be urgently de-escalated. • The Dangote Refinery as a National Asset The $20 billion Dangote Refinery…
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has described the late former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Egiator Arase, as a mentor and pillar of support, both in public service and in his personal political journey. Speaking during a condolence visit to the Arase family residence in Benin City, the Governor said Arase’s death at 69 was a painful loss, not just to Edo State but to Nigeria as a whole. Reflecting on their relationship, Governor Okpebholo recalled that Arase was the first elder statesman he consulted when he decided to run for governor. His Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua in a statement…
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled against Professor Pat Utomi’s bid to establish a “shadow government,” declaring the move unconstitutional and a threat to national security. In his judgment on Monday, Justice James Omotosho upheld the Department of State Services’ (DSS) arguments that such a parallel structure could destabilize the country. Relying on Section 1(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, the judge stressed that the constitution is supreme and binding, leaving no room for the creation of any alternative government. “There is no provision in the constitution for a shadow government. Any arrangement unknown to law will…
By Frank Tietie I hear some neo-terrorists want to invade the Dangote Refinery to stop the supply of gas to it. I invite them to check out the definition of ‘terrorism’ in the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. The Nigerian government must protect legitimate private businesses from the ‘entitlement mentality’ of many Nigerian workers’ unions. Many of them don’t know what it takes to build a country through its public service or incubate businesses like the Dangote Refinery. Yet, when employed, they form unions to redefine the conditions of service and subtly exercise lordship over what they didn’t build or…