Category: Uncategorized

Nigerian singers, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, and Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, also popularly known as Ayra Starr…

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Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has commended President Bola Tinubu for the Federal Government’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) penetration initiative, describing it as a bold step towards improving the welfare of Nigerians.

Diri also said the scheme, which targets the distribution of compressed cylinders gas to vulnerable Nigerians that have long relied on firewood for cooking, would reduce wood logging, deforestation and the attendant environmental impact.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the Bayelsa governor as giving the commendation at the launch of the Decade of Gas: National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme in Tuesday at the Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, where Bayelsa became the first state to benefit from the state-level rollout of the initiative.

The scheme is expected to cover no fewer than 27,000 beneficiaries in the state.

Diri said the programme marked a significant shift in the Federal Government’s approach to ensuring that communities that produce the nation’s oil and gas resources also enjoy the benefits of cleaner and safer energy.

He noted that for decades, communities in the Niger Delta suffered environmental degradation, poverty and neglect despite contributing immensely to the nation’s economy, stressing that the LPG initiative signals the beginning of a positive change.

He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas), development partners and sponsors for bringing the programme to Bayelsa, saying the initiative aligns with the state’s commitment to improving the quality of life of its people.

He explained that the transition from firewood to gas would not only reduce environmental degradation but also improve public health by limiting exposure to harmful smoke associated with traditional cooking methods.

The governor urged residents to embrace clean cooking energy and discard the misconception that food prepared with firewood was superior.

While applauding the decision to provide beneficiaries six free cylinder refills, Diri appealed for a review of the implementation framework to allow for a longer transition period before states assume the responsibility.

He proposed that the refill arrangement be extended to a two-year grace period to enable states adequately plan, engage stakeholders and make budgetary provisions that would guarantee sustainability of the programme.

The governor reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to partner with the Federal Government in expanding access to clean energy and improving the welfare of citizens.

In his address, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the launch as a historic milestone, noting that Bayelsa becomes the first state to host the state-level LPG cylinder distribution programme.

He said the programme was designed to make clean cooking energy more accessible to households, reduce dependence on firewood and charcoal, improve public health, protect the environment and stimulate economic opportunities along the LPG value chain.

Ekpo stated that the initiative is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Tinubu administration.

He also assured beneficiaries that refill centres would be established closer to communities to make access to LPG more convenient, while reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that gas prices remain affordable for ordinary Nigerians.

In an earlier address, the Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, Mr. Ed Ubong, stated that the Federal Government aims to transition five million Nigerian households to LPG for cooking by 2030 under the programme.

Ubong said the initiative targets one million households annually and described Bayelsa as the ideal starting point for the programme as hosts to one of Africa’s largest gas processing facilities and holding a significant place in Nigeria’s oil and gas history.

Earlier, during the minister’s courtesy visit to his office, Governor Diri acknowledged that Bayelsa was endowed with more gas deposits than crude oil.

He described as an aberration a situation where revenues that ought to accrue to the state from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company such as personal income tax and other revenues were remited to other states, and urged President Tinubu to address the injustice.

His words, “About 60 per cent of the gas to the NLNGC is derived from Bayelsa State. But guess what? No tax is paid to the government of Bayelsa. All the taxes are paid to other state governments. What is the benefit of the people from where this gas is collected?“

He maintained that Bayelsa had been shortchanged for decades, which he said was largely responsible for the state’s low internally generated revenue base.

The state’s helmsman also bemoaned the health hazards suffered by the people of the Niger Delta coupled with the environmental degradation caused by decades of oil exploration and gas flaring.

According to him, the situation prompted his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, to establish the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission (BSOEC) to look into the effects of oil spills and gas flares by oil companies operating in the region.

Diri Hails Tinubu’s LPG Drive, Seeks Two-Year Grace Period For States is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Stakeholders in Kogi State have warned that Africa’s growing sovereign debt burden is denying millions of people access to healthcare, education and other essential public services, calling for sweeping reforms of the global financial system to give developing countries greater fiscal space for development. The call was made on Tuesday during the Freedom from Debt […]

The post Debt crisis starving health, education funding, Kogi stakeholders warn appeared first on Tribune Online.

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has declared that Nigeria’s education reforms can only succeed through stronger collaboration between the Federal and State Governments and a deliberate shift to data-driven decision-making, insisting that education remains the country’s most strategic investment for economic growth, national security and sustainable development. Alausa made the declaration while […]

The post Tinubu’s education reforms data-driven, strong federal-state partnership – Alausa appeared first on Tribune Online.

Facts have emerged on the attack on the Senior Special Assistant on Protocol to the Governor of Delta State, Mr Simon Temple Mudi, at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, where the Delta Central stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress took place on Sunday. Nigerian Tribune reports that the attack on the governor’s aide […]

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President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, on a courtesy visit at the State House in Abuja.

The delegation was led by Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, Archbishop of Kaduna and President of the CBCN.

This came shortly after the president received the president-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

At the time of filing this report, details of the meeting between the president and the Christian clerics are yet to be ascertained.

Tinubu receives Catholic bishops

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has issued formal clarification confirming that Switzerland forward Breel Embolo should not have been dismissed during the World Cup quarter-final against Argentina, acknowledging a misapplication of the video assistant referee protocol.

Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation following a VAR review in the 72nd minute, shortly after Switzerland had levelled the match at 1-1.

The decision shifted momentum in Argentina’s favour, and the South Americans went on to win 3-1 after extra time.

The ruling drew widespread criticism at the time, with previous opponents Egypt among those alleging that officiating decisions throughout the tournament had favoured Lionel Messi’s side.

In a statement released on Monday, the FIFA-backed lawmaking panel confirmed that the “mistaken identity” provision within the VAR protocol was not applicable to the incident in question during the World Cup, though it noted the clause could potentially be extended to cover such scenarios in future tournaments.

“However, it may not be used as such until that review is concluded,” IFAB, which is based in Zurich, said.

The incident occurred when Embolo went to ground following a challenge from Argentina’s Leandro Paredes, who was initially cautioned for the foul.

VAR officials subsequently intervened, determining that Paredes had not committed an offence and instructing the referee to instead caution Embolo – his second booking of the match, resulting in his dismissal.

Under the current framework, the “mistaken identity” clause exists solely to correct instances in which a card has been issued to the wrong individual – not the player who actually committed the original infringement.

IFAB stated that the provision “can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offense that was penalized,” adding that “the offense itself cannot be reviewed/changed.”

Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin was scathing in his assessment following the match in Kansas City.

“The referee made the wrong decision,” he said. “I know they will protect their referee but this rule destroyed our game today, and it’s very painful, and to be eliminated in that way hurts a lot.”

IFAB has been conducting a broader review of VAR protocol since March, and confirmed that cases such as Embolo’s dismissal form part of that ongoing assessment.

Despite the misstep, the governing body noted a degree of overall support for the clause’s use during the tournament, stating that “the use of the mistaken identity clause to deal with simulation during the FIFA World Cup 2026 was well received.”

IFAB’s membership comprises officials appointed by FIFA alongside representatives of the four British football associations.

The body convenes annually, typically in February or March, to revise the Laws of the Game ahead of major tournaments or the start of a new season.

W/Cup: Embolo’s Red Card Against Argentina Was Wrong, Says IFAB is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Federal High Court has lost one of its retired judges, Justice Baba Gana Ashigar, who died on 25 July 2026 after a brief illness. A statement on Tuesday by the Court’s Director of Information, Dr Catherine Oby Christopher, indicated that His Lordship passed away in Maiduguri, Borno State, and has since been laid to […]

The post Retired Federal High Court Justice, Baba Ashigar, dies in Maiduguri appeared first on Tribune Online.

Following the collapse of a two-storey building at Baale Road, Ajuwon, in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Monday, the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has ordered a comprehensive technical investigation into the incident. Governor Abiodun, in a statement issued by his Media Adviser on Information and Strategy, reaffirmed his commitment to protecting […]

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Team Nigeria’s athletes will continue their quest for medals in the different track and field events at the ongoing 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The trio of Kayinsola Ajayi, Favour Ashe, and Nicholas Fakorede will compete in the men’s 100m semi-finals.

Rosemary Chukwuma, Miracle Ezechukwu and Blessing Ogundiran will battle for a place in the 100m women’s final.

Oyesade Olatoye will also compete in the women’s hammer throw final with her sights set on a podium finish.

In Boxing, Patricia Mbata will enter the ring for her women’s 75kg quarter-final contest.

Team Nigeria has enjoyed an impressive start to the Glasgow 2026 Games, winning six gold, and four silver medals.

Glasgow 2026: Team Nigeria gears up for athletics showdown