Author: The Whistler Newspaper

The newly inaugurated board of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) resumed on Tuesday, with a pledge to boost the capacity of the NUPRC in meeting its statutory mandate.

Speaking at the Commission headquarters shortly after inauguration, the Chairman of the NUPRC board, Senator Magnus Abe, assured management of improved productivity.

Abe said the purpose of the board is to provide better leadership and oversight.

The chairman also promised to ensure that the NUPRC gets a more befitting office to maximise staff productivity.

“I believe that of all the priorities we should have, getting a proper office accommodation should take priority over everything else,” he stated.

In her remarks, the Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, congratulated the new board members, adding that the Commission depends on them for direction in line with the Petroleum Industry Act.

Eyesan described the inauguration as coming at a most auspicious moment especially amid the current spike in oil and gas prices occasioned by the Middle East crisis.

“Today, the oil and gas industry is seeing volatility because of the war in the Middle East and the transition and its impact on the industry.

“Nigeria must position itself to respond appropriately to both the energy transition imperative and the disruptions in the Middle East. I believe the Commission is positioned for the shocks or eventuality that may arise,” she added.

The NUPRC chief executive also restated the commitment of the Commission’s management team to reforming the industry.

Speaking earlier at the inauguration, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said the event underscored the unwavering commitment of the Federal Government to strengthening governance in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

He said as the apex governance body of the Commission, the board is expected to provide strategic oversight, policy direction, and institutional stability that will enhance investor confidence and promote sustainable development in the upstream sector.

“This development is firmly aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, which prioritises strong institutions, the rule of law, and integrity in public service,” Akume stated.

While congratulating them for their appointment, the SGF charged the board members to uphold the highest standards of corporate governance, ensure accountability and transparency, and work constructively with management and stakeholders while maintaining regulatory independence.

Members of the board inaugurated include: Senator Magnus Abe (Chairman), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan (commission chief executive), Engineer Sunday Babalola (non-executive commissioner), Engineer Paul Jezhi (non-executive commissioner), Bashari Indabawa (executive commissioner), Muhammed Sabo Lamido (executive commissioner), Mrs. Patience Oyekunle (permanent secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources), Engineer Mustapha Lamorde (Executive Director, HSEC, NMDPRA) and Mr. Dalhat Muhammad Kamal (Director, Ministry of Finance) while Ms. Olayemi Adeboyejo serves as Commission Secretary/Legal Adviser.

Abe Resumes As NUPRC Board Chairman, Pledges Improved Leadership is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Former Presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, has held a closed-door meeting with National Deputy Chairman of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Muhammad Rabiu Sabo Bakin.

Bakin paid Kwankwaso a courtesy visit alongside the party’s National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Ahmad Waya.

It was gathered that the duo met the former Kano State governor to persuade him to leave the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and join the NDC.

Bakin told Kwankwaso during the meeting that he should not remain in the ADC due to the leadership crisis plaguing the party.

According to him, the NDC is fully prepared to receive Kwankwaso along with his massive supporters and to grant them whatever positions they desire within the party.

2027: NDC officials beg Kwankwaso to join party, dump ADC

Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has said 2027 is the time to end what he tagged “baba sope criminality” and elect a governor that is accountable.

Rhodes-Vivour insisted that only voters in the state should decide who to vote as their governor and not any individual.

He was reacting to reports that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was directed to resign on health grounds.

The Lagos State government had dismissed the claims.

However, Rhodes-Vivour stressed that political power should not be concentrated in the hands of a few.

Posting on X, he wrote: “The APC, and particularly Mr President, are mistaken to believe they have stripped Lagosians of agency.

“That who becomes governor or when to remove the said governor is reduced to the feelings or hallucinations of one man and a gang of kleptocrats is insulting to many and must no longer be tolerated.

“Only the people of Lagos can and must determine those who will lead them.

“Only them also reserve the right to decide when they are fed up with who governs the state.

“In 2027 we must permanently end this babasọpe criminality and elect a governor that is accountable and beholden to the people of Lagos. It is time to restore #OurLagos in the interest of all Lagosians.”

2027: ‘End baba sope criminality, elect accountable gov’ – Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour to Lagosians

Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa has officially declared to run for the Kwara State governorship seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Speaking at the formal declaration Bolarinwa said if elected, he would decisively tackle insecurity across the state while investing heavily in education, healthcare and skills development to unlock the potential of the people.

The declaration, which was witnessed by thousands of party members and Bolarinwa’s supporters from within and outside the state, comes against the backdrop of rising insecurity in parts of Kwara.

Bolarinwa said the safety of citizens would be non-negotiable under his leadership, adding: “We will decisively tackle and comprehensively address insecurity at all levels, ensuring the safety of lives and property across every part of the state.”

He noted that beyond security, his administration would focus on human capital development as a cornerstone for sustainable growth.

“We will invest in education, healthcare and skills acquisition, ensuring that our youths and women are empowered as drivers of growth and stability,” he said.

Bolarinwa said his decision to run was driven by a sense of duty and a desire to serve the people at a higher level.

“Today, I stand before you not just as a politician, but as a son of the soil who understands the struggles and aspirations of our people,” he said.

He described his political journey as one rooted in service, having served as a councillor, local government chairman, member of the National Assembly and later as Kwara State party chairman.

According to him, these experiences have prepared him for the task ahead.

“Our state stands at a critical point where we must deepen development, expand opportunities, and ensure that governance reflects fairness, inclusion and justice,” Bolarinwa said.

He promised to build an inclusive Kwara where no part feels marginalised and where economic opportunities are accessible to all.

“We will strengthen our economy through innovation, agriculture and enterprise development, while delivering people-centred governance driven by transparency and accountability,” he added.

Bolarinwa also called on party leaders, stakeholders and residents of the state to support his ambition, saying: “This is a collective mission, a movement for a better, stronger and more inclusive Kwara. I cannot do it alone.”

2027: Bolarinwa declares for governorship in Kwara

Crude oil prices surged above $111 per barrel on Tuesday following the United Arab Emirates, UAE, decision to exit the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC.

DAILY POST reports that UAE’s decision to exit OPEC was announced in a statement on Tuesday.

The UAE said the move, which takes effect from May 1, 2026, was based on the country’s national interest.

“This decision follows a comprehensive review of the UAE’s production policy and its current and future capacity and is based on our national interest and our commitment to contributing effectively to
meeting the market’s pressing needs,” UAE authorities said in a statement.

The UAE’s announcement has stirred uncertainty in the global crude oil market already grappling with nearly two months of war between Iran and the United States-Israel.

Checks by DAILY POST showed that crude oil prices surged by 3 percent to $99.68 and $111.40 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude, respectively.

Global oil prices surge above $111 per barrel as UAE announces exit from OPEC

The House of Representatives has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to extend the waiting period before inactive phone numbers are reassigned to new users to one year and six months.

The lawmakers said the move would strengthen compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2023, and protect Nigerians from fraud, identity theft, and wrongful criminal allegations linked to reassigned SIM cards.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the member representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency of Edo State, Billy Osawaru, during today’s plenary.

Osawaru proposed that the additional six months should allow for inactive SIM cards due for reallocation to be publicly announced in national newspapers and reported to the police once or twice annually.

“The House is aware the said guidelines mandate the network providers to deactivate and reallocate inactive SIM cards and phone numbers,” he said.

He noted that the measure would improve transparency and make it easier to resolve criminal or fraudulent cases arising from SIM card reassignment.

“The House is also aware, as claimed by network providers, that it is not financially sustainable or profitable for them to retain inactive SIM cards on their network despite being registered with the initial subscribers’ data.

“We are concerned that if not strictly guided and checked, reallocation of SIM cards or phone numbers to new subscribers could lead to data breaches,

“Identity theft and financial fraud, especially when the numbers are still linked to the previous owner’s sensitive information, such as Bank Verification Number and National Identity Number,” the lawmaker added.

Presently, the Nigerian Communications Commission guidelines mandate network providers in Nigeria to deactivate inactive SIM cards after 180 days (6 months) and permit reassignment to new subscribers after one year of dormancy, without notifying the former subscriber, as provided in their new Telecom Identity Risk Management Policy.

Reps ask NCC to extend period for reassignment of inactive phone numbers

Ghana will host the 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, DAILY POST reports.

It is the second time the West African country will be hosting the tournament.

Ghana previously staged the U-20 AFCON in 1999, where the host nation lifted the trophy in front of home supporters.

The Black Satellites defeated Nigeria’s Flying Eagles 2-0 in the final.

Twelve teams will participate in the competition that will also serve as the qualifier for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

South Africa are the defending champions of the biennial tournament.

Ghana to stage 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations

A governorship aspirant in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, Laja Adeoye, has reacted to recent endorsement of the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Adeoye described the endorsement as part of internal political realignments within the ruling party, urging stakeholders to prioritise governance and policies that directly impact residents.

He noted that political manoeuvres ahead of future elections should be guided by service delivery, accountability, and efforts to improve the welfare of Lagosians.

Adeoye emphasised the need to tackle pressing issues confronting the state, including traffic congestion, flooding, housing deficits, healthcare challenges, and the rising cost of living.

The PDP chieftain, who has been active in Lagos opposition politics, also called for a more inclusive and responsive approach to governance, stressing that citizens expect tangible improvements in infrastructure and social services.

He added that political competition should be driven by ideas, programmes and policies capable of advancing sustainable development in Lagos State.

Lagos: PDP guber aspirant, Adeoye reacts to Hamzat’s endorsement by APC

Governor Adebayo Adeleke of Osun State has dethroned the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Ife North Local Government Area of the state, His Royal Highness, Oba Gbenga Joseph Oloyede, with immediate effect.

The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, in a statement, indicated that the decision followed due consultation, legal review, and approval by the State Executive Council.

The statement emphasized that the action was taken in accordance with the Osun State Chiefs Law, as amended, and other relevant legal provisions guiding traditional institutions in the state.

The Commissioner said that the Staff of Office and all instruments of authority earlier issued to the monarch have been withdrawn, and the stool of the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu has been declared vacant.

The deposed royal father, who is a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko to four years in prison on August 26, 2025.

He was convicted of leading a conspiracy to exploit COVID-19 emergency loan programmes intended to support struggling small businesses.

According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, the deposed monarch forfeited his Medina, Ohio home, purchased with proceeds of the scheme, and an additional $96,006.89 traced to fraud.

He was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $4,408,543.38 in restitution.

Former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, has presented his All progressives Congress (APC ) governorship nomination form to former Governor Tanko Al-Makura.

He made the presentation at the former governor’s office in Abuja.

Adamu will contest the Nasarawa State APC governorship ticket in a direct primary against Senator Aliyu Wadada, who has the backing of Governor Abdullahi Sule.

Nasarawa: Ex-IGP Adamu presents APC guber nomination form to Al-Makura