Author: statereporter

Amid a steep decline in fuel consumption due to surging fuel prices, oil marketers in Nigeria are facing unprecedented challenges, with around 10,000 dealers on the brink of shutting down. Recent data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) reveals that fuel consumption fell sharply to 4.5 million litres per day in August 2024, down from 60 million litres per day in May 2023—a staggering 92 percent drop. Additionally, only 16 out of the nation’s 36 states received fuel from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in August, exacerbating shortages across the country. The crisis follows the…

The Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rendered a significant decision regarding the ongoing qualification process for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). In a ruling announced on Saturday, October 26, the Super Eagles of Nigeria has been awarded three points and three goals due to the controversy surrounding their Matchday 4 encounter against Libya. This match was originally scheduled to take place on October 15 in Benina. The ruling, which was signed by the chairman of the disciplinary committee, Ousmane Kane, outlines several key points which are: 1. The Libya Football Federation was found…

Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has announced the approval of a new minimum wage of ₦80,000 for state workers, effective from November 2024. The announcement was made on Friday following a comprehensive meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Governor Bago expressed confidence in the state’s ability to sustain the new wage, attributing this capability to advancements in agriculture. This development places Niger State among the ranks of states like Lagos, Delta, Rivers, Ogun, Ondo, Gombe, Kogi, Enugu, and Kebbi, which have committed to implementing minimum wages above the ₦70,000 mark recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.…

Nearly a month after Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for attacks on its ally Hezbollah, Israel has now conducted its own retaliatory strikes. The exchange has heightened tensions in the region, with Iran asserting its readiness to respond to any further Israeli “aggression.” According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, sources stated that “There is no doubt that Israel will face a proportional reaction for any action it takes.” State reporters earlier reported that Israel conducted retaliatory airstrikes in Iran early Saturday morning, targeting military sites in response to an October 1 missile attack. Israeli military spokesperson,…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has refuted reports suggesting that the old series of N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes will cease to be legal tender by December 31, 2024. In a statement released on Thursday, the CBN, through its acting Director of Corporate Communications, Sidi Hakama, confirmed that the Supreme Court’s order extending the use of the old naira notes indefinitely still stands. The CBN emphasized that discussions in various forums about the discontinuation of these notes were false and intended to create confusion in the nation’s payment system. “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has…

First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) has clarified that its upcoming platform upgrade is limited to its suppliers’ platform and will not affect its digital banking services. The bank made this known in a statement on Friday, dispelling misconceptions that its core banking services would be disrupted. In the statement, Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FBN, explained that reports circulating in the media had misinterpreted the bank’s communication regarding the transition from its current I-Supplier platform to a new cloud-based supplier system. The transition, she noted, is intended solely for the bank’s vendors and will have…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has clarified that it was not responsible for Nigeria’s recent decision to remove fuel subsidies, a move that has sparked criticism due to the resulting inflation and economic hardship for many Nigerians. The decision, according to the IMF, was made independently by the Nigerian government. Speaking during a press conference at the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington D.C., the IMF’s African Region Director, Mr. Abebe Selassie, stressed that the IMF had no direct involvement in the policy decision. “The decision was a domestic one. We don’t have programmes in Nigeria. Our role…

Israel have conducted retaliatory airstrikes in Iran early Saturday morning, targeting military sites in response to an October 1 missile attack. Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed that the strikes were aimed at “precision military targets” due to recent Iranian actions against Israel. Hagari emphasized Israel’s readiness for both offensive and defensive situations, noting no changes in civilian instructions. The United States was informed in advance, according to Israeli news agency KAN. Reports from regional sources indicated that numerous Israeli jets struck locations in Tehran, Mashhad, and Karaj, with explosions reported. Some sounds were attributed to Iranian air defenses. Syria’s…

Former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has opened up about the emotional challenges he faced after becoming the first incumbent president in the country’s history to lose a re-election bid. Jonathan, who ran under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lost to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2015 general elections. He described the period as the toughest in his political career. Jonathan made these remarks in Abuja on Friday at the 1st Raymond Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture, an event organized by Daar Communications in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. Recalling…

Founding National Secretary of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Professor Udenta O. Udenta, has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown that he is not a listening president as he has kept implementing various policies in the country that “are not working and they will never work”, instead of listening to the demands of Nigerians. Udenta said this in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday while discussing the state of Nigeria’s economic hardship, where he also said that President Tinubu has lost the political plot on how to govern Nigeria, and that if one loses the political plot, it…