The Federal Government has split the controversial OPL 245 oil block into four new assets to be operated by Eni and Shell, potentially paving the way for development of the long-disputed field. According to Reuters, a source familiar with the matter disclosed that the restructuring could finally settle the future of the asset at the centre of one of the oil industry’s largest historic corruption trials. The move signals a renewed push by authorities to unlock production from one of Nigeria’s most valuable deepwater reserves after decades of legal and regulatory uncertainty. The agreement is expected to clear the path for the development of OPL 245,…
Author: Newsdesk
The Akire of Ikire in Osun State, Oba Olatunde Falabi, has died at the age of 91. The Chairperson of Irewole Local Government, Dr Esther Okunola, announced the monarch’s death in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Monday. Sources close to the palace, however, said Oba Falabi died after a brief illness during the weekend. In her condolence message, Okunola expressed deep sorrow over the monarch’s passing, describing it as the “fall of a great elephant.” She said Ikire and the entire Irewole Local Government had lost a royal father whose wisdom, courage and guidance were pillars of unity and…
The TAFS Forum, also known as the International Forum for Transboundary Animal Diseases and Food Safety, is set to host a high-level regional conference between March 3–4, 2026 in Cape Town aimed at strengthening Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) control capacity and enhancing resilience across Southern Africa. The two-day event, titled “Strengthening FMD Control Capacity and Enhance Resilience,” will take place at the Blaauwberg Beach Hotel and is expected to bring together senior public and private sector stakeholders, veterinary authorities and international experts. The conference comes against the backdrop of recent FMD outbreaks in parts of Southern Africa and mounting global disease pressure, which have…
The European University of Nigeria (EUN), Abuja, has announced a minimum Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) score of 150 for admission into its 2025/2026 academic session. The university also outlined a reform-driven model aimed at addressing systemic weaknesses in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Ibezim, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at a news conference ahead of the institution’s maiden matriculation ceremony. He spoke on the theme, “Addressing the Gaps in Nigerian University Education: A Practical Reform Agenda”. Ibezim said the university was established as a strategic response to persistent challenges such as unstable academic calendars, industrial actions,…
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has increased its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) gantry price by ₦101, raising the ex-depot rate from ₦774 to ₦875 per litre, a move that could trigger fresh fuel price adjustments nationwide. Ashenews gathered through a senior official at the refinery on Monday, attributing the upward review to recent volatility in global crude oil prices. “Yes, the price has been reviewed. The new gantry price is now ₦875 per litre from ₦774. The review became necessary due to changes in global crude fundamentals and replacement costs,” the official said. Checks on petroleumprice.ng showed that the revised gantry price had…
The Federal Government says it has expanded emergency medical systems nationwide through the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS). It also called for improved access to the 112 emergency number. National Programme Manager Dr. Emuren Doubra made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja, responding to an article reviewing Nigeria’s emergency care landscape. The journal article, titled “Progress in Emergency Medicine in Nigeria: Where We Are in 2025,” was published in the African Journal of Emergency Medicine. It acknowledged significant strides in Nigerian emergency medicine but highlighted the need for greater synergy between out-of-hospital and in-hospital…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has secured a 40-year jail term against two individuals convicted of peddling fake alcoholic beverages in Lagos State. In a statement on Monday, the agency said the suspects faced an eight-count charge that included possession of unwholesome foods, manufacturing counterfeit and unregistered beverages, aiding production, misleading packaging, and distributing/selling unregistered products. The suspects, Mr. Nelson Aziakpono and Mr. Ikegwuonu Ikechukwu, were convicted at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi by Justice Alagwa J. READ ALSO: Over 5,000 Ogun residents benefit from national health fellows outreaches The court…
The Kebbi State Government on Monday began distributing agricultural machines, other inputs, and Ramadan palliatives to over one million residents to boost dry-season farming across the state. Items disbursed included 2,000 units of solar-powered pumps, 5,000 units of power tillers, 5,500 units of sprayers, 24,000 liters of herbicide, 70,000 liters of organic fertilizer, and 5,000 trucks of assorted fertilizers. Gov. Nasir Idris spoke at the event, tagged “2026 Distribution of Dry Season Farm Implements and Ramadan Palliatives,” in Birnin Kebbi. He said the support aligns with his administration’s agenda to empower farmers, improve productivity, and enhance food security. Idris noted…
No fewer than 5,000 residents in Ogun State have benefited from medical outreaches under the National Health Fellowship Programme, a flagship Federal Government intervention under the Renewed Hope Agenda. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, disclosed this at the graduation ceremony for Cohort 1.0 and the unveiling of Cohort 2.0 of the programme in Abeokuta on Monday. Coker noted that the programme strengthens Primary Health Care (PHC) by raising a new generation of health leaders, deploying young professionals across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas. She explained that it aims to improve service delivery, promote accountability, and reinforce health systems at…
Some poultry experts in Lagos have called for improved biosecurity measures on farms to prevent recurring disease outbreaks in the sector. The experts made the call in separate interviews with reporters on Monday in Lagos. They noted that strict adherence to biosecurity measures, among other factors, would protect poultry flocks from infection. Poultry expert Mr. Michael Aleagbu urged farmers to restrict indiscriminate entry into farms and adopt other preventive steps to forestall outbreaks. “To prevent infestation and death of their flock, poultry farmers must limit visitors’ access to their farms. Farmers need to step up biosecurity measures at all times…