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Soludo urges young people to face reality with resilience

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The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has urged young people in the country to look at the future with optimism while facing reality with resilience.

He spoke at the 13th Convocation of Veritas University in Abuja recently and offered a persuasive perspective on the unique generational challenges faced by today’s graduates.

Recognising that state governors are often the target of public jest, Governor Soludo wondered what meaningful advice he, as a governor from a different era, could provide to the graduating class.

A statement by Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to Soludo, said that the renowned professor of Economics described his own generation, the 1960s and 1970s, as a “limited edition” group, caught between caring for both parents and children. Humorously, he mused on the idea of reversing roles, asking if the graduates might take the lead in the dialogue while he listened.

Reflecting on his own graduation 40 years past, Governor Soludo drew striking parallels between then and now. Graduating in 1984, he recalled the sense of hope and despair felt as he and his peers faced severe economic challenges, including rationed essential commodities, a lack of steady electricity, and limited telecommunications The Structural Adjustment Program (SAP), ASUU strikes, and rising poverty and unemployment defined the era, with many fearing that the nation was on the brink of collapse. “Which Way Nigeria?”, Sonny Okosun’s song encapsulating the nation’s struggles became the soundtrack of their uncertainty.

Fast-forward to today, Governor Soludo noted, and the class of 2024 faces similarly daunting circumstances. He cited Nigeria’s decision to end longstanding subsidies on fuel, electricity, and foreign exchange, a move that has temporarily brought immediate inflationary shocks and economic strain. Worsening the picture are widespread floods that displaced millions and rampant criminality, creating a “new economy” of banditry and kidnappings. With a public sector driven more by transactional motives than transformation, Governor Soludo described an environment where virtues seem undervalued.

In sum, Governor Soludo’s message was very obvious: today’s graduates face an increasingly complex and challenging world. While technology and globalisation offer unprecedented opportunities, Nigeria’s social, political, and economic landscape demands resilience, integrity, and a commitment to positive change. In calling the graduates to rise above these challenges, Governor Soludo invited the new generation to lead with purpose, pursuing both personal success and the improvement of Nigeria.

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Petrol price to drop by N50 as independent marketers load at N990/litre at Dangote

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The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN has disclosed that over 30,000 of its members are set to buy Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in bulk.

IPMAN also revealed that the price of petrol from the refinery was N940/litre and N990/litre when purchased using ships and trucks, respectively.

Speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, IPMAN President, Abubakar Garima, said the pump prices of petrol at its retail outlets will drop following the agreement with the Dangote refinery to lift products directly from the plant.

On Monday, IPMAN agreed with the Dangote refinery to directly lift petrol, diesel, and other petroleum products.

This agreement follows months after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation suspended its plan to serve as the sole off-taker of petroleum products from the 650,000 barrels per day refinery.

The IPMAN president explained that the Dangote refinery had been obliged to allow marketers to lift PMS, AGO, and DPK directly for onward supply to their depots and retail outlets but didn’t reveal the price.

Giving an update on pricing during the interview, the IPMAN national officer said the Refinery has provided two different rates for marketers based on their preferences.

He said marketers can load at the gantry at a price of N990 per litre or N940 through vessel transportation.

Garima said, “Presently, we have been given two different arrangments on how to buy fuel from the refinery. There is the one that we can load the vessels and carry to our various depots at the rate of N940 per litre. Then for the depots, it is at the rate of N990 per litre.

“The difference is because we have to load it and carry it to another part of the state. We use vessels to carry these products and there is another one to load from the gantry.

“For Port Harcourt, Warri, Calabar, we have to use vessels because there is no Dangote loading gantry there, we have to carry it to our private depot and discharge and distribute it to our members.”

 

 

 

 

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Zulum reinstates 23 suspended health workers, deploys others

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Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the reinstatement of 23 health workers previously suspended for absence from their duty posts at Gwoza General Hospital.

This decision was announced during the Governor’s inspection of the hospital’s newly renovated maternity and child center, as well as other ongoing projects.

Dauda Iliya, Spokesperson and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, in a statement Tuesday, said the health workers had initially been suspended after Zulum’s earlier visit, where he found them absent from their duties.

Addressing the staff, Governor Zulum emphasized the importance of dedication to work and assured them of improved working conditions and other incentives.

“Complaints were made about the 23 medical workers who were absent during my last visit,” he noted. “No one is perfect, so the government has pardoned them, although no arrears will be paid.”

In response to a staff shortage raised by the Principal Medical Officer of Gwoza General Hospital, Dr Nuhu Nasiru Wakawa, Governor Zulum directed the immediate deployment of four additional doctors and ten nurses to the facility.

He further announced that Gwoza General Hospital will be upgraded to support training for nursing students from the new school of nursing under construction.

“The Commissioner of Health, together with the Chief Medical Director of the Hospitals Management Board, will work on this deployment,” Zulum added. “We will also recruit community health workers from Gwoza to strengthen local healthcare services.”

In addition to his healthcare initiatives, Governor Zulum inspected the crusher plant base under construction in Pulka, which will produce up to 300 tonnes of stones per hour.

He said the completion of the crushing and asphalt plants is expected to facilitate new road networks across Borno State.

The Governor also visited other development sites, including the 500-unit mass housing project in Wala B, Gwoza Local Government Area, and a proposed site for a high Islamic school in Bama, underscoring his administration’s commitment to infrastructure and educational advancement.

 

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Dangote to begin direct supply of petroleum products to marketers

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Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has secured an agreement with Dangote Refinery to lift products directly.

IPMAN’s National President, Abubakar Garima, announced this at an ongoing press briefing on Monday in Abuja, following a meeting of the National Working Committee of the Association.

He said the partnership would ensure a steady, affordable supply of PMS products nationwide.

“After meeting with Aliko Dangote and his management team in Lagos, we are pleased to announce that Dangote Refinery has agreed to supply IPMAN with PMS, AGO, and DPK directly for distribution to our depots and retail outlets.”

Garima urged IPMAN members to support Dangote Refinery, citing the benefits of backward integration and its positive impact on Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.

“IPMAN members should rely on Dangote Refinery and Nigerian refineries for white products, creating more job opportunities and supporting President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.”

The latest development concludes several months of negotiations between both parties and is expected to increase efficiency, affordability, and economic growth.

The Dangote Refinery, the largest in Africa and Europe, has already commenced the production of petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel, with plans to supply products to over 30,000 IPMAN members and 150,000 retail outlets nationwide.

 

 

 

 

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