Five persons including four students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, died on Monday in a head-on collision involving a Niger State Government House vehicle and a car conveying the students.

The crash occurred around Gidan Mangoro in Minna and involved a Toyota Hilux carrying Dauda Chikuba, Director-General of the Government House, and a vehicle carrying the five students.

Four students reportedly died at the scene alongside the driver of the government vehicle.

The government vehicle was part of the convoy of Governor Mohammed Bago, which was returning to Minna after a condolence visit to the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.

The governor and his team had visited the traditional ruler to commiserate with him over the death of Sagi Nupe, Hajia Aisha.

The students’ vehicle was reportedly travelling towards Bida when the collision occurred.

Allocating 445,000 barrels of crude oil daily to local refineries and using revenue from other petroleum products to support cheaper fuel are central to the plan of Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, to bring petrol prices down to N200 per litre.

Adebayo said the proposed arrangement would prioritise domestic refining and reduce the exposure of Nigerian consumers to international oil market prices.

He outlined the proposal at a dinner organised by the SDP leadership on Sunday, arguing that Nigerians should not bear the full burden of global petroleum prices while earning predominantly local wages.

“Any government that says to you that you should buy petrol in Nigeria at international market rates, that government is a liar, is wicked and irresponsible,” he said.

Under the plan, crude oil designated for export would continue to attract international market prices, while a separate allocation would be reserved for domestic refineries.

Adebayo proposed supplying 445,000 barrels daily to local refineries without upfront payment. In return, the facilities would process the crude and supply petroleum products for the Nigerian market.

He said petrol and aviation fuel would be prioritised for domestic consumption, while other products, including naphtha, asphalt and fuel oil, would be sold commercially to generate additional income for refinery operators.

According to him, revenue from these products would help sustain refinery operations and reduce dependence on petrol sales alone.

The proposal is built around the argument that Nigeria’s crude oil resources should support domestic energy needs rather than expose consumers entirely to international price movements.

However, Adebayo did not provide a detailed financial breakdown showing how the arrangement would cover crude oil, refining, transportation and distribution costs while maintaining the proposed N200-per-litre price.

Photo caption: Head of Transport, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Murilo Silva(L) and the Group Managing Director, DCP, Arvind Pathak(R), present an award to one of the company’s drivers at the Drivers Safety Retreat at the Obajana Plant

Dangote Cement Plc, Africa’s leading cement conglomerate, has intensified its commitment to road safety by strengthening measures to improve drivers’ safety awareness, competence, and compliance with best practices across its African operations.

Speaking at the 2026 Drivers Safety Retreat at the Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, Kogi State, Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Arvind Pathak, said drivers must ‘Think Safety, Act Safely’ across all its operations in Africa.

He reiterated its commitment to the safety and welfare of its drivers, urging them to prioritise safe driving practices and ensure they return home safely after every journey.

According to him, Dangote Cement, as the largest cement producer in Nigeria and Africa, places a premium on the quality of its products, while its drivers play a crucial role in ensuring that the products reach customers safely and efficiently.

Pathak stressed that no business delivery was worth the loss of human life, describing the safety of drivers as more important than operational targets and commercial considerations.

The retreat, themed: “Think Safety, Act Safely,” brought together drivers, transport personnel and management representatives to promote responsible driving, address welfare concerns and strengthen the Company’s safety culture across its logistics operations.

Addressing the participants, Pathak reminded the drivers that they represented the Dangote brand on highways across the country and had a responsibility to protect their lives and those of other road users.

“Every time you get behind the wheel, you are carrying more than a product. You are carrying the reputation of this Company, the trust of other road users and, most importantly, your own life. We can replace a truck; we cannot replace a human being,” he said.

He assured the drivers that the Company would continue to invest in initiatives aimed at improving their welfare, developing their professional capacity and promoting safer transportation operations.

According to him, drivers remain indispensable to the Company’s growth and distribution network, making their safety and wellbeing a priority.

“We appreciate the sacrifices you make every day to keep our business moving. That is why we are committed not only to providing you with the tools and training to work safely, but also to listening to your concerns and improving your welfare. When our drivers are safe, our operations are stronger and our communities are safer,” Pathak stated.

He urged the drivers to avoid speeding, fatigue and other dangerous driving practices, emphasising that professional competence should be measured by safe arrival rather than the speed with which a journey is completed.

The Dangote Cement chief executive advised drivers to take breaks whenever they felt tired and to avoid taking unnecessary risks on the road.

“I want every driver to remember one simple principle: if you are tired, stop and rest. If a situation looks unsafe, do not take chances. The goal is not just to reach your destination; the goal is to return home safely to your family,” he added.

Dangote Cement’s Head of Transport, Murilo Silva, while addressing them cautioned against reckless driving, proxy driving and other unsafe transportation practices, warning that such conduct would not be tolerated.

Silva urged the drivers to take personal responsibility for their actions and contribute to making Nigerian roads safer for motorists and other road users.

Ebere Okonkwo- Group Head, Transport Health, Safety and Environment- Pan Africa Nigeria said the retreat is necessary for the Dangote drivers for their safety and also to avoid any accident that will push the company to sack them.

She noted that with the retreat most of the drivers of Dangote will be very careful because the management is watching all their movement any where they travel to.

The retreat also provided an opportunity for drivers to interact with management and discuss issues affecting their welfare and working conditions.

Among the concerns raised during the interactive session were the rising cost of living, work-related expenses and the need for timely communication of drug test results.

Several drivers who spoke at the event commended the Company’s continued investment in their welfare, saying the retreat demonstrated management’s concern for their lives beyond their operational responsibilities.

They pledged to maintain high safety standards and handle the trucks entrusted to them as valuable business assets while avoiding practices that could endanger human lives.

As part of the programme, Dangote Cement recognised outstanding personnel for their performance and commitment to safety.

Awards were presented to 10 outstanding drivers, while Ismaila Suleiman was the most performing driver in the year under review.