Emmanuel Ikhenebome

@m_akpakomiza, @nnpclimited Hand Over Certificate of Occupancy for New Refinery, Petrochemical Industry Benin, Edo — Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and Dr. Mumuni Dagazau, Executive Vice President, Downstream of NNPC Limited, on Friday formally displayed and handed over the Certificate of Occupancy for land allocated to the proposed Oredo Refinery and Petrochemical Industry during a ceremony at the Government House in Benin City. The handover marks a significant practical step in the partnership first announced earlier in 2026 between the @EdoStateGovt and NNPC Limited to establish a 10,000 barrels-per-day condensate refinery. The facility is planned for sites spanning Oredo and Orhionmwon Local Government Areas, chosen partly for available gas and crude resources in the area. When operational, the refinery is expected to produce roughly 20 truckloads of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS/petrol) and 10 truckloads of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO/diesel) daily to serve Edo State and neighbouring regions in the South-South. Completion is targeted within 24 to 36 months. Officials have previously noted that construction could generate around 400 direct and indirect skilled jobs, with broader long-term benefits for employment, industrial growth, and poverty reduction. Governor Okpebholo has framed the project as aligning with President @officialABAT Renewed Hope Agenda and his administration’s goals of industrialisation, job creation, and positioning Edo as an energy hub. During the initial engagement in February, he pledged full support, including land allocation, Certificates of Occupancy, security guarantees, and logistics. NNPC representatives, including Dr. Dagazau, described the initiative as a sustainable investment focused on revenue, jobs, and regional development. Discussions have also referenced the state’s proposed participation under a land-for-equity arrangement. Friday’s ceremony at Government House underscores progress on land formalities, clearing a key administrative hurdle for the project to advance toward construction. The proposed Oredo Refinery and Petrochemical Industry is seen by both parties as a boost to local fuel supply security, reduced dependence on distant sources, and wider economic activity in logistics, construction, and related services. Further details on exact timelines, equity structure, and construction start are expected as the partners move the project from planning into execution.

@PeterObi, NDC Supporters Reject Current National Anthem, Sing Former Version At a town hall meeting in Lagos on Thursday, Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for 2027, and party supporters including Lagos governorship candidate Funso Doherty refused to recite the current national anthem when prompted. They instead sang “Arise, O Compatriots,” Nigeria’s anthem from 1978 to 2024. The event anchor switched to the former version after the group’s rejection, and attendees joined in enthusiastically, as Obi faced the crowd and raised two fingers on each hand in the NDC victory sign as they sang. The gathering was delayed after suspected political thugs armed with cutlasses, sticks, and stones invaded the venue earlier in the day, causing panic, some injuries, and property damage before security restored order. The incident comes amid ongoing debate over the national anthem. On 29 May 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed the National Anthem Act, reinstating “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” (the original independence anthem used from 1960 to 1978) in place of “Arise, O Compatriots.”

An army is an army, but an American army is much more than that. Once, a friend of mine brought along a friend from abroad—a Nigerian who had enlisted in the US Air Force and returned home for Christmas to visit his parents. We set out for Yankari Game Reserve. At the time, Boko Haram was still a problem in the northeastern states. On the way, we reached a checkpoint and were asked to get out for checks. We opened the boot and, after finding nothing, the soldiers began challenging us. We thought that, as Nigerians, we could handle them—las las, na money dey want. The soldiers demanded 20k, but we refused. I told my friend we wouldn’t pay a dime because we had done nothing wrong. So they decided to keep us there. When our visitor saw what was happening, he got out and introduced himself, but the soldiers brushed him off. In fact, they told him he was an army officer in another country, not Nigeria. Our visitor got angry, got back into the car, and made a call. Before we knew it, a captain got out of a car and started insulting the soldiers. He was furious with them. He came over and asked who the American soldier was. Our visitor identified himself, and the captain pleaded with him sincerely. As we continued our journey, a call came in, and he assured the caller that everything was okay. After hearing this, my friend asked him whom he had called. He said he had called the US embassy in Nigeria. Omo, we were surprised. The biggest surprise was how swiftly they responded. The US is exceptional. They look after their own. If you are an American citizen, count yourself lucky.

Los pandilleros en Haití, siguen huyendo, era falso que "estaban preparados." Era falso que "No tenían miedo". Totalmente falso que no les importaba morir. Pero, sobre todo, demostrado que no son invencibles. Ejercito Salvadoreños recuperando el territorio.