Author: The Whistler Newspaper

Japan has increased its crude oil imports from Nigeria as refiners scramble to offset supply disruptions from the Middle East following the outbreak of the Iran war, signalling a notable shift in global oil trade flows and creating new export opportunities for Nigeria and other non-Middle Eastern producers.

Industry data released by the Petroleum Association of Japan showed that refinery utilisation rates remained subdued at 67.8 per cent for the week ended April 11, largely unchanged from 67.7 per cent in the preceding week.

The figures remain significantly below the over 80 per cent levels recorded prior to the escalation of hostilities in late February, underscoring the operational strain on Japanese refiners amid constrained crude availability.

The disruption has been particularly impactful given Japan’s heavy reliance on Middle Eastern crude, which typically accounts for about 95 per cent of its total imports.

The ongoing conflict has complicated shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies, forcing Japanese buyers to urgently diversify their sourcing strategy.

Officials indicated that the supply outlook could improve marginally in the coming weeks, supported by the release of crude from Japan’s strategic petroleum reserves and efforts to secure alternative supplies.

So far, the country has managed to replace more than half of the volumes it imported via the Strait of Hormuz in May last year.

Nigeria has emerged as one of the key beneficiaries of this shift, alongside other oil-producing nations such as Malaysia, Azerbaijan, Brazil and Angola.

The increased demand for Nigerian crude reflects its compatibility with certain refining configurations and its availability in the spot market, even as logistical and technical constraints limit the pace of substitution.

Despite the diversification push, analysts caution that Japan’s ability to fully replace Middle Eastern crude remains limited. Many of the country’s refineries are specifically configured to process medium-sour grades typical of the Middle East, making large-scale substitution with alternative crude types operationally challenging.

According to an analyst at Rystad Energy, Nithin Prakash, , Japan could increase the share of non-Middle Eastern crude in its import mix to between 30 and 50 per cent in the short term.

However, he noted that a complete transition away from Middle Eastern supply is unlikely due to structural refinery constraints and feedstock optimisation requirements.

To navigate these limitations, refiners are expected to adopt blending strategies, combining residual Middle Eastern crude with light-sweet grades from the United States and West Africa, including Nigeria, as well as medium grades from the Caspian region and parts of Latin America.

This shift in crude slate composition is also expected to influence product yields. Analysts project higher output of gasoline and naphtha, while production of diesel and jet fuel could decline, reflecting the lighter nature of the substitute crude grades.

For Nigeria, the development presents a short-term boost to crude export demand amid ongoing efforts to stabilise oil production and improve foreign exchange earnings.

However, the sustainability of this demand will depend on the duration of the Middle Eastern disruption and Japan’s longer-term energy sourcing strategy.

Oil Disruption Drives Japan To Expand Crude Purchases From Nigeria is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

In the build up to the 2027 governorship election in Kwara state, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in

… New Terms Allow Debits Without Notice

Thousands of POS operators across Nigeria may be unknowingly exposed to sweeping financial and legal risks under the latest agency banking terms issued by Moniepoint Microfinance Bank Limited.

A review of the agreement reveals that agents, many of them small business owners, bear near-total liability for fraudulent transactions, even in cases involving staff errors or suspected customer scams.

The contract, which was made available to THE WHISTLER, empowers the bank to debit agents’ accounts directly to recover losses, legal costs, or disputed transactions, often without prior notice.

“In the event of the occurrence of an event that leads to any damage, loss, liability or expense to Moniepoint MFB as stated in this clause 19, the Agent hereby agrees and authorises Moniepoint MFB to immediately debit its Account without recourse to the Agent,” the contract read.

Even more concerning, the bank reserves the right to suspend or terminate an agent’s account based on “reasonable suspicion”, poor performance, or failure to meet transaction targets, leaving operators vulnerable to sudden business shutdowns.

“You hereby authorizes Moniepoint MFB to place a restriction on Your Account if there is reasonable suspicion of fraud in connection with Your Account, and/or the provision of the Agent Service, if You fail to meet agreed targets communicated by Moniepoint MFB from time to time, or if You
breach any provision of these Terms of Use,” they added.

Under the terms, agents must also comply with strict regulatory obligations aligned with Central Bank of Nigeria guidelines, including collecting customer identification, enforcing transaction limits, and maintaining records for up to five years, effectively operating as frontline financial institutions.

“You shall ensure that KYC documents (i.e. national card, driving license, voter’s card or
international passport) are sighted from Customers before performing Transactions and on their behalf.

“Additionally, for all instant transfers conducted by Customers, you shall collect
and store a copy of their government issued means of identification prior to consummating Transactions instituted by such Customers.

“The name and photo identification of Customers
must at all times match the name on the payment card presented,” Moniepoint added in the contract.

Liability on the bank’s side is capped, while agents face broad indemnity obligations covering fraud, customer disputes, and regulatory penalties.

Industry observers say the terms reflect a growing trend in Nigeria’s agency banking sector, where fintech platforms expand rapidly by outsourcing operational risk to independent agents.

For many POS operators, the opportunity remains profitable, but experts warn that without strict internal controls, proper staff training, and fraud awareness, the business could quickly turn from a source of income into a significant financial liability.

Moniepoint Shifts Fraud Risk To POS Operators is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Rapper Tochukwu Ojogwu, popularly known as Odumodublvck, has alleged age-cheating in the Nigerian music industry.
Speaking during a recent livestream with streamer Enzo, Odumodublvck alleged that a lot of Nigerian artists lied about their ages by reducing it to appeal to record labels and brands that cater for particular age grades.

He claimed that a lot of investors in the music industry shy away from investing in older artists.

“I am 32 and I don’t bother myself for getting things right at this age. A lot of artists reduce their age because of record labels and partnership deals. You know a lot of investors in the music industry wouldn’t want to invest in older artists,” he expressed.

Lots of Nigerian artists reduce their age for record labels, deals’ – Odumodublvck claims

Big Brother Naija Season 4 winner, Mercy Eke has shared her candid opinion on fame and money.

In an interview with Odira Ndubuaku, the reality star said she prefers money to fame, stressing that she is willing to sell her fame for money.

According to her, fame without money is irrelevant.

Eke said if she is given a good offer, she doesn’t mind selling her social media accounts and keeping a low profile.

“I only enjoy being famous occasionally. I would trade my fame for 2 billion dollars. Wettin dem dey carry fame do? Give me money and delete me from every social media platforms. I would give up my influence, everything for money,” she said.

Eke added that with 2 billion dollars she can afford an Island home and good living for herself and family.

She emphasised that she doesn’t care much about being famous.

‘I would trade my fame for money’ – Mercy Eke

The constituents of the Kwara North Senatorial District of Kwara State have thrown their weight behind the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. At a mega rally organised in Ilorin, they noted that Tinubu has performed well to deserve a second term in office. The former Speaker of the State House of Assembly and […]

To encourage interest, the OPM GO outlined a package of incentives for any man willing to

A medical doctor, Dr Ere Ogbachi, has died after developing complications following the delivery of triplets in Bayelsa State. Her death was confirmed in a Facebook post on Wednesday by her brother, Meshack Sintei, who disclosed that she was moved to the Intensive Care Unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where she died at […]

Chibuzor Chinyere, General Overseer of Omega Power Ministry, has revealed plans to secure a husband for his adopted daughter, a 21-year-old woman living with autism.

On a Facebook post, the cleric introduced the young woman identified as Chiemeka Chibuzor, saying the move was intended to guarantee her long term care, protection, and overall well being.

Chinyere stated that any prospective husband must satisfy certain requirements, including being physically and mentally fit, adding that the arrangement would include benefits such as lifetime financial support, provision of housing, and continuous welfare supervision by the church.

“I am giving out another of my adopted daughters in marriage. Her name is Chiemeka Chibuzor. She is 21 years old and lives with autism, although she can speak and hear well,” he wrote.

“The man who wishes to marry her must be a young individual who is physically and mentally fit in all respects. The arrangement comes with several benefits, including lifetime financial support, a free house for life, and a home built in the names of both partners.
“There will also be regular, unplanned supervision visits by OPM staff to ensure her safety and well-being, alongside other additional benefits”

He noted that the initiative is designed to provide a supportive environment where she can live a happy and fulfilling life.

The development comes weeks after the cleric facilitated a similar marriage arrangement for his adopted son, Aboy, who later married a single mother of three.

According to Chinyere, that union included incentives such as a N10 million gift, a free house, an overseas vacation, and a pledge of N20 million after 10 years, contingent on the son remaining alive.

Cleric Seeks Husband For 21-Year-Old Autistic ‘Daughter’ is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Barcelona’s exit from the Champions League quarter-finals was “a robbery”, their forward Raphinha says.

They had a player sent off in each leg of their 3-2 aggregate defeat by Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid, with their 2-1 win on Tuesday not enough to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first game.

In both cases, a yellow card was upgraded to a red after the referee was instructed to review at a pitchside monitor the possible denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

Pau Cubarsi was dismissed by Istvan Kovacs in the first leg, and fellow Barca defender Eric Garcia was sent off by Clement Turpin in the second.

Kovacs was also criticised by Barca after he and video assistant referee Christian Dingert allowed play to continue when Atletico defender Marc Pubill handled the ball in his own penalty area.

Raphinha missed each game through injury but told reporters after the second leg: “For me, this match was a robbery. Not just this match but the other one as well.

“The refereeing was really bad, the decisions [Turpin] makes are unbelievable.

“I don’t know how many fouls Atletico made but the referee didn’t give them a single yellow card.

“I really want to understand why they’re so afraid that Barcelona will come and win.”

Atletico did not have a player booked in the second leg, while Barca received one yellow card as well as a red.

Pubill was one of three Atletico players booked in the first leg, when he stopped the ball with his hand after goalkeeper Juan Musso had appeared to restart play with a goal-kick.

Barca complained to Uefa over a “grave lack of VAR intervention” but European football’s governing body said on Tuesday that the club’s protest was “inadmissible”.

“It was tough, especially when you realise you have to work three times as hard to win the match,” added Raphinha, 29.

“I think this tie was quite misleading, in my view. I think everyone can make mistakes; everyone is human.

“But when the mistakes keep repeating themselves in exactly the same way, I think that’s something we need to pay attention to.”

When asked to respond to his comments, Uefa said that its disciplinary body will assess reports from Tuesday’s game before deciding on any next steps, including a possible charge for the former Leeds player.

Atletico keeper Musso said: “You can’t say this match was stolen from them; that’s ridiculous.

“They acted as if they should have had three penalties and we should have had four sendings-off. We won on the pitch, 2–0 away, and when you’re the last man back, you get a red card.”

Refereeing In Atletico-Barcelona Game ‘Robbery’ – Raphinha is first published on The Whistler Newspaper