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‘I Seriously Doubt NNPC Refineries Will Function’ – Dangote Speaks Truth to Power

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President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has expressed strong skepticism over the prospects of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna ever becoming operational again—despite the government spending an estimated $18 billion on them over the years.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to reports, Dangote made the comments on Thursday while receiving members of the Global CEO Africa group from Lagos Business School at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, following a tour of the $20 billion, 650,000 barrels-per-day facility.

Dangote, whose refinery has already dedicated more than half of its output to Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), contrasted its performance with the now-defunct refineries previously managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), which produced only 22% petrol at their peak.

Reflecting on his short-lived acquisition of the refineries during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dangote recalled that he and his team took over the facilities in January 2007, only to return them months later following a change of government.

“We bought the refineries in January 2007. But after President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua came into power, we were forced to return them,” he recounted. “The then-managing director convinced President Yar’Adua that the refineries could still work. They claimed they were given to us as a ‘parting gift.’ Today, they’ve spent over $18 billion on them, and they’re still not working. Honestly, I doubt very much if they ever will.”

Dangote described the series of turnaround maintenance efforts on the refineries as fundamentally flawed, likening them to retrofitting outdated technology into an obsolete frame.

“Trying to fix those refineries is like modernising a car built 40 years ago,” he said. “Even if you install a brand-new engine, the body can’t absorb the shock of today’s technology.”

Obasanjo: NNPC’s Incompetence Rooted in Corruption

Dangote’s pessimism echoes the long-held position of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has consistently criticized the NNPC’s handling of the refineries.

Obasanjo, speaking in both 2024 and January 2025, revealed that international oil majors, including Shell, rejected his request to manage the refineries, citing their lack of viability.

“I ran to Yar’Adua and told him this is wrong,” Obasanjo said. “He replied that NNPC said they could handle it. I told him, ‘NNPC cannot do it.’ I warned that the refineries wouldn’t work and that, eventually, no one would buy them even as scrap for $200 million. And that’s exactly what has happened.”

He further alleged that corruption within the NNPC was a major reason for the failed projects: “NNPC knew they couldn’t manage the refineries but wanted to maintain the corruption that was already entrenched. In a civilised society, those responsible would be in jail.”

Obasanjo also disclosed that over $2 billion has been wasted since then with no results to show, and questioned why the government had turned to Dangote if the public refineries were truly functional.

“If anyone tells you those refineries are working, then why are they now with Aliko?” he asked. “Aliko will not only get his refinery to work, he will deliver.”

Concluding with a Yoruba proverb, Obasanjo said: “They say a farmer who harvests 100 heaps of yam will also come back with 100 heaps of lies. That’s what this situation has become.”

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‘Kwankwaso Is More Experienced Than Peter Obi’ – Buhari’s Ex-Aide Declares.

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Ahmad made the assertion in a post on his X handle, maintaining that Kwankwaso’s decision to accept the position of running mate should be seen as an act of political modesty rather than an indication that he is less qualified than Obi.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to the former presidential aide, the relationship between the two politicians should be viewed as one of equals rather than that of a superior and a subordinate.

“To be entirely candid, the political dynamic between Rabiu Kwankwaso and Peter Obi ought to be characterised as one of collegiality between peers, rather than a hierarchy of principal and subordinate,” he wrote.

He added, “The choice to assume a deputy role beneath Obi ought to be interpreted as a testament to political modesty.”

Making a case for Kwankwaso’s political experience, Ahmad recalled that the former Kano State governor served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives before Obi became a prominent figure in national politics.

He also noted that Kwankwaso governed Kano State, which he described as Nigeria’s most populous and politically influential state, for two terms and served as a federal minister.

“If we are assessing political experience, Sen. Kwankwaso probably has a longer and more impressive political background than Peter Obi,” Ahmad stated.

In contrast, the former presidential aide argued that Obi’s major public office experience was limited to his tenure as governor of Anambra State.

“Unlike other candidates, Peter Obi was just a former governor of Anambra State,” he wrote.

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‘I Have Stopped Impregnating Women’ – 2Baba Makes Shocking Revelation.

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Nigerian music star Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has declared that he no longer impregnates women.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The singer made the statement on Saturday during a live performance at Rehab Lounge in Calgary, Canada.

While performing his hit song True Love, 2Baba paused to interact with the audience and playfully asked the women present to identify where his true love was.

He jokingly wondered whether she was standing at the back of the venue or somewhere in front of him before making a remark about his experiences with women.

The award-winning musician told the audience that he had stopped getting women pregnant, adding that he had been making the same confession wherever he performed recently.

He said, “For the purpose of this show, I will pretend like I’ve never seen anything before. Where’s my true love? Is she back there? Is she right here? Is she somewhere here? Where’s my true love? You people shouldn’t put out me for trouble.

“As I said, some ladies they fear to shout. See, everywhere I go these days, I make this confession. As I say, some ladies they fear to shout. I say, I don’t fear to shout. Because I don’t stop to dey give woman belle. Ask anyone, they’ll tell you, I don’t do such thing things again.”

The singer’s comment comes amid public interest in his personal life and relationships.

2Baba was previously married to Nollywood actress Annie Macaulay-Idibia. The couple announced their separation in January 2025 after having two children together.

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NPFL Cracks Down! Abia Warriors, Katsina United, Warri Wolves Hit With Sanctions.

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Abia Warriors were fined ₦3.2 million for failing to provide adequate security as agreed during the pre-match technical meeting ahead of their encounter with Niger Tornadoes.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Abia Warriors were fined ₦3.2 million for failing to provide adequate security as agreed during the pre-match technical meeting ahead of their encounter with Niger Tornadoes.

The Umuahia-based club was also found guilty of an attempt by one of its officials to disrupt the live broadcast of the match by harassing a crew member of the league’s broadcast partner.

As part of the disciplinary measures, Abia Warriors’ multimedia officer, Chidera Favour Igwe, has been suspended from all NPFL match activities for five matches.

Katsina United, meanwhile, were fined ₦2 million for failing to provide adequate and effective security during their home fixture against Plateau United.

The club was also sanctioned for allowing supporters to encroach onto the field of play during the encounter.

Warri Wolves Receive Heaviest Punishment

Warri Wolves have been handed the most severe sanctions following the unruly behaviour of their supporters during Sunday’s Matchday 10 clash against Kano Pillars in Ozoro.

The Seasiders were fined ₦4.2 million and docked three points and three goals from their accumulated tally. The club was also ordered to play its next three home matches behind closed doors.

According to the NPFL, Warri Wolves failed to provide adequate security at the stadium, resulting in an assault on match officials after the final whistle.

The league further disclosed that the second assistant referee sustained a nose injury and was left bleeding during the incident.

The NPFL stated that all three clubs have 48 hours from the date of notification to appeal their respective sanctions in accordance with the league’s disciplinary procedures.

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