October 2025 Archives

All Posts in "Month: October 2025"

Abia to roll out electric bus service before year-end

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, is set to launch an Electric Vehicle public transport system tagged the Abia Green Shuttle Service, as part of efforts to modernise the state’s transportation network and promote sustainability.

According to a statement signed and released on Saturday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the initiative aims to revolutionise public transport and position Abia at the forefront of sustainable mobility in Nigeria.

“The Abia Green Shuttle Service is part of Governor Otti’s broader and futuristic vision for a modern and sustainable public transportation system, which aligns with global best practices, climate change and environmental sustainability goals,” the statement partly read.

Ukoha said the project reflects the administration’s resolve to embrace cleaner energy sources.

“The State under Governor Otti has embraced the future over and above PMS, Diesel and CNG,” he stated.

He explained that the government plans to acquire 100 electric buses to operate within Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia, with modern terminals already under construction.

“The first batch of 20 electric buses acquired by the State with 10 charging infrastructure equipped with persons with disability solutions will be operational before the end of the year.

“A second batch of the same quantity is expected to be delivered by early next year with an additional 10 charging infrastructure,” Njoku said.

The statement further disclosed that in Aba and Umuahia, new bus stops are nearing completion to enhance comfort and efficiency for commuters, while route mapping is ongoing.

It also noted that the transport system will leverage renewable energy.

“The State’s sustainable transport system project will reduce dependence on grid electricity by utilising solar power and battery storage,” Ukoha said.

He added that the initiative will improve road safety, create jobs, and boost economic growth.

“It will enhance road safety and reduce accidents by having designated bus stops including creating employment opportunities and stimulating economic growth of the State,” he said.

Describing the project as a milestone in the state’s development plan, Ukoha said, “Governor Otti’s plan for a sustainable transport system is comprehensive and promising.

by Dan Poster — October 11, 2025 in General News 0

Greenwich Merchant Bank achieves N50bn capitalisation

Greenwich Merchant Bank on Thursday announced that it has successfully met the N50bn capital requirement mandated by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

According to the bank, in a letter dated September 22, 2025, the CBN confirmed its approval of Greenwich’s N22.6bn fresh capital raised via a Rights Issue and Private Placement. With this, the bank’s approved capital now exceeds the N50bn regulatory threshold.

The CBN’s recapitalisation directive stipulates N50bn as the minimum capital requirement for a merchant bank operating in Nigeria. Having achieved this milestone, Greenwich said it is now better positioned to underwrite larger transactions, offer more competitive financing, and enhance overall service delivery.

Speaking on the achievement, Chairman of Greenwich Group, Mr Kayode Falowo, said, “This is a significant milestone in our growth journey and a strong testament to the resilience and commitment of everyone across the organisation. It positions us strategically for the next phase of our expansion and service excellence.

“We would like to thank our shareholders for their trust in us and applaud the outstanding contributions of our Board and Management in attaining this milestone. We remain committed to driving even greater achievements in the future.”

Also commenting, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Greenwich Merchant Bank, Mr Benson Ogundeji, noted, “Our successful capital raise is not just a regulatory compliance milestone; it is proof of the confidence our shareholders have in our vision and the trust our clients and partners have built with us over the years.

“At Greenwich, we see this achievement as a springboard for strengthening our capacity to deliver innovative financial solutions while contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic growth and stability.”

by Dan Poster — October 11, 2025 in Business 0

NLC urges tax on tech giants to retrain workers

The Nigeria Labour Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on Friday called for a tax on the profits of technology giants and automated industries to fund comprehensive retraining and upskilling programmes for workers facing displacement in the era of artificial intelligence.

Speaking at the 2025 Conference of the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria in Ibadan, Ajaero warned that while AI is often presented as a marker of efficiency and progress, it is being deployed by corporations to deepen worker exploitation, erode rights, and increase inequality.

The conference, held at the Golden Tulip in Ibadan, focused on ‘The Future of Work in the Era of Artificial Intelligence’.

“We must bargain for comprehensive retraining and upskilling programmes, funded by a tax on the excessive profits of the tech giants and automated industries,” Ajaero remarked

He added, “Our struggle is to socialise the benefits of AI and robotise the burdens, ensuring it leads to a society with more leisure, greater security, and shared prosperity for the working class.”

The NLC president described the rise of AI as “the modern face of the class struggle”, noting that workers risk being pushed into greater precarity as companies prioritise profit.

“They sell us a narrative of efficiency and progress, but we must see it for what it truly is: a tool for maximising profit by de-skilling jobs, casualising labour, and ultimately, weakening the collective power of the working people,” the labour leader stated.

He cautioned that without safeguards, AI would reshape labour relations in ways that weaken collective bargaining, undermine unionisation and create a digitally dispossessed underclass.”

Ajaero urged unions and policymakers to press for protective legislation.

“We must fight for robust legal frameworks that guarantee the ‘Right to Disconnect’, strictly limit algorithmic surveillance, and ensure that productivity gains from AI are shared through shorter workweeks with no loss of pay,” he said.

Turning to labour writers, Ajaero reminded them of their duty to highlight the challenges facing workers, insisting that journalists were integral to the trade union movement.

“Your typewriters, recorders, and keyboards are no less important than our placards and negotiation tables. They are the instruments with which we shape the narrative, counter the propaganda of the bourgeoisie, and awaken the consciousness of the masses,” he told delegates.

Citing recent disputes at the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical complex, he accused the company of violating Nigeria’s Labour Act, the Constitution, and international conventions by attempting to stop workers from joining unions.

“The recent violations of the rights of workers to join unions and the reckless attempts at de-unionisation of workers, all in the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical, bear testimony to the unrelenting and pervasive power of corrosive capitalism,” Ajaero said.

He criticised the use of the media to spread disinformation, claiming attempts were made to blame workers instead of addressing breaches of the law.

Ajaero stressed that unity remained the most powerful weapon against corporate and technological exploitation.

“There is no room for neutrality in the face of this attempt to subjugate us to the forces of oppression. To stand on the sidelines is to side with the oppressor,” he said. “They have their AI, but we have our WE. Our collective power, our solidarity, is the ultimate intelligence no machine can replicate or break.”

by Dan Poster — October 11, 2025 in Business 0

Mission Possible – Unity Bank MD Celebrates Resilient Frontline Staff, Reaffirms Commitment To Customer Service Excellence

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole, has said that a service culture built on responsiveness and innovation will differentiate the impact that customer service can make in any organisation.

Making the remarks at the flag off of the Customer Service Week 2025 in Unity Bank, Mr. Kolawole stated that “apart from constantly improving the way in which better customer support can be achieved, the increasing sophistication of our customers have made the Bank to also begin to focus more on customer experience innovation with investment being made in technology, systems, and people which enable us redefine our customer journey altogether”.

While extolling the Bank for always rising to any occasion, the Managing Director celebrated the resilient frontline staff for their unwavering dedication and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to delivering exceptional customer service across all touch points, stating that this year’s celebration, themed “Mission: Possible,” underscores the Bank’s unwavering belief that every customer needs can be met through innovation, teamwork, and with service culture.

“The Bank’s customer service teams are well acclaimed for their passion, professionalism, and resilience in fulfilling the institution’s mission to provide exceptional service to its growing customer base”, the Unity Bank MD further stated.

In further acknowledgement, Mr. Kolawole stated: “At Unity Bank, our mission is clear — to make banking simple, accessible, and rewarding for every customer. ‘Mission Possible’ captures the spirit with which we approach every challenge and opportunity to serve; whether through our digital platforms, branch interactions, or customer support channels”.

Additionally, the Bank’s Chief Customer Service Officer, Elfrida Igebu, emphasised the significance of recognising and celebrating staff who consistently go above and beyond to serve customers.

“This year’s theme reminds us that what may seem challenging is always achievable with the right attitude, teamwork, and customer-first mindset. Our frontline teams embody this every day by demonstrating that at Unity Bank, service excellence is not just a goal, it is our mission,” Igebu said.

Throughout the week, Unity Bank organised activities across its branches and offices nationwide to reflect the Customer Service Week 2025, from customer appreciation engagements, Award of recognition for Staff, setting up festive ambience and decor, flamboyant service and cultural costumes donned by members to digital media activations.

In time past, Unity Bank was among the first financial institutions to introduce a multilingual USSD platform, *7799#, and from then onwards, the Bank continues to upgrade features of its mobile banking platform, Unifi app, for optimisation, reinforcing customer experience innovation and convenience.

by Dan Poster — October 11, 2025 in Business 0

Dangote Refinery Clarifies Feedstock Imports, Reaffirms High-Quality Petrol Production

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dismissed recent media reports alleging that it is importing finished petrol with high sulphur content into Nigeria, describing the claims as false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Friday, the company explained that, as a world-scale complex refinery, it processes a wide range of crude oils and intermediate feedstocks, which is a standard global practice aimed at optimising production and product quality.

“The cargo in question is an intermediate feedstock, not finished petrol,” the company said. “It will be fully refined in our processing units to meet both Nigerian and international quality standards.”

Operating within a Free Trade Zone, Dangote Petroleum Refinery said it refines and sells only high-quality fuels that comply with all regulatory specifications. The company added that its exports of petroleum products to the United States and Europe, among the world’s most regulated markets, underscore its adherence to international benchmarks for quality and safety.

Dangote Refinery further noted that all imported feedstocks are accompanied by quality certificates, which are transparently shared with regulators. “We are also willing to make these documents available to the public in the interest of full transparency and accountability,” the statement added.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s energy independence, maintaining global best practices, and delivering cleaner, high-quality fuels for both domestic and international markets.

by Dan Poster — October 11, 2025 in Business 0

INEC: ‘We’ll give Amupitan benefit of doubt’ – ADC

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, says it will give the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, the benefit of the doubt in leading the electoral body.

This was contained in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, hours after Amupitan’s nomination was made public on Thursday.

The opposition party said it expects the professor of law to restore the confidence of Nigerians and the world in Nigerian elections.

“We are cautious. But we expect the new INEC Chairman to have a personal ambition to do better and restore the confidence of Nigerians and the world in Nigerian elections. He must understand that his loyalty is with the Nigerian people, not the government.

“We are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt based on his track record. But now he has the opportunity to make a good name for himself that his children would be proud of, or to soil his record and end up with ignominy.

“He should bear in mind also that his tenure will ordinarily last beyond one electoral cycle. He should therefore look beyond the interest of those who have appointed him,” the statement said.

by Dan Poster — October 10, 2025 in Politics 0

Enugu Gov Mbah set to dump PDP for APC

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah is set to dump the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, next week.

National Chairman and Deputy National Chairman, South-East, of the APC, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda and Emma Eneukwu, respectively, broke the news in Abuja on Friday.

The APC national leadership revealed Mbah’s imminent defection to the ruling party while swearing in the newly inaugurated members of the Enugu State caretaker committee, led by former state chairman, Ben Nwoye, at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

The governor is expected to announce his defection at an event schedule to hold in the state next week.

Chairman of the newly inaugurated caretaker committee, Nwoye, who confirmed the development, said the governor will join the ruling party alongside all his appointees.

There are speculations that Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, is also set to join APC

by Dan Poster — October 10, 2025 in Politics 0

Plateau killings: Berom youths decry renewed attacks in Barkin Ladi

The Berom Youths Moulder, BYM, has decried the renewed attacks by suspected Fulani militants in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State where over 10 people were killed in a recent incident.

In the past one week, communities in Faan district of the council have been the epicenter of attacks by the bandits with the people living under siege.

While reacting to the attacks and killings in a statement jointly signed by the National President and Secretary General, Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri and Bature Iliya Adazaram, respectively, the BYM condemned the invasion of the communities, saying it is time the government took proactive measures to end the assaults and restore peace in the state.

The statement made available to DAILY POST on Friday reads: “The Berom Youths Moulder-Association is gravely saddened by the simultaneous attacks on two village of Fan District, Barkin Ladi LGA, that resulted to the killing of Mr. Timothy Ishaku Chollom – 40 years at village of Rapyam by Fulani militants on Monday, October 6, 2025 at about 7:00 pm.

“The continued act of banditry and terrorism has been restrategized by the attackers, who laid ambush against natives of Fan District along Dorowa Babuje-Mangu road at about 3:00 pm of 8th October, 2025.

“As a result, two people have been confirmed killed, six critically injured while two others still missing.

“This underscores the new dimension of the bandits modus operandi and network deployed from venue of security meetings to execution points.

“According to information sourced out, the unsuspecting victims were returning from Security meeting held at Sector 4, Barkin Ladi LGA, unknown to them that the attackers had already been informed about their movement from the Sector base to the ambush-point laid on the main road

“While sadness of the tragic incident is still fresh in our minds as Berom Youths Moulder-Association, particularly the bereaved villages and communities of Fan and the entire Berom land, the Fulani militants are currently mobilizing and converging around the mountains of Ropp Barkin Ladi to launch attacks on villages of Fan.

“Amongst the villages earmarked include Nding Sesut, Nding Loh, Nafan, Rapyam, Nyarwei, Rayiri and Nding Bridge.

“The assailants have also penciled down Gassa and Heipang as their target for a surprising onslaught tonight.”

The statement added, “These, therefore, calls for the following as measures to stem the incessant killings, destructions and displacement as well as disruption perpetrated by the armed Fulani militants: Ban on open and forceful grazing; Observance of all buffer-zones and grazing prohibited sites and areas; Recruitment of natives and/or residents as Civilian JTF as done in the North-East; Dislodging all terrorist enclaves in Plateau State; and other measures deemed necessarily expedient in the prevailing circumstances.”

by Dan Poster — October 10, 2025 in General News 0

INEC clears air on court order for Mahmood Yakubu’s arrest

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has denied breaching an order made by the Federal High Court, Oshogbo, Osun State, 11 days ago.

There are reports that the court, on September 29, 2025, ordered that the immediate past INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, should be arrested for purportedly disobeying its judgement in a case involving the Action Alliance, AA.

However, reacting to the development, INEC described the media reports as misleading.

“In line with its long-established tradition of always obeying court judgements and orders, the Commission on Monday 6th October 2025, which was still within the deadline, filed processes at the Federal High Court, Oshogbo, to show that we had complied with its judgement and order of recognising the Action Alliance’s AA, executive elected on 7th October 2023 at Abeokuta, Ogun State.

“The dashboard of the Commission’s web site showing compliance was tendered as evidence.

“However, when the judgement creditors filed a counter affidavit to complain that the Commission partially complied by listing the names of only four national executives without the National Chairman, Rufai Omoaje, the Commission responded by attaching the Notice of Appeal filed by the same Omoaje at the Supreme Court, challenging the judgement of the Court of Appeal sacking him as the National Chairman of the party.

“The judgement of the Court of Appeal is superior to that of the federal high court, hence, the Commission cannot list Omoaje’s name as the Chairman of the Action Alliance party when the judgement of the Appeal Court is still subsisting.

“We appeal to media organisations to fact-check their reports before publication to avoid misleading the public,” a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said.

by Dan Poster — October 10, 2025 in General News 0

NUPRC Lists Strategies To Attain 2.5m Daily Crude Production By 2027

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has revealed how it is preparing ground to run the country’s aspiration that will help actualize the 2.5 million barrels a day oil (bopd) production by 2027.

Speaking at the 2025 National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC) conference in Lagos on Thursday, on the topic, “Nigeria’s Energy Future and the

Role of NUPRC in Driving Upstream Oil and Gas Industry’s Rebound.” the Commission Chief Executive (CCE) Gbenga Komolafe, said that in efforts to achieve the expectations, the Commission has prioritized production optimization and recovery enhancement.

In addition, Komolafe, said that by reviewing field development

plans, supporting brownfield optimization and enabling the re-entry of shut-in wells, the NUPRC has facilitated renewed activity across mature assets.

Represented by head of the Commission’s office in Lagos, Paul Osu, the CCE, noted that these interventions are projected to deliver incremental volumes exceeding one million barrels of oil per day, a key milestone toward achieving the national production target of 2.5 million bopd by 2027.

He stated that a sustainable rebound also demands secure

infrastructure and credible measurement systems and the Commission has collaborated with security Agencies, private contractors and community stakeholders in implementing the Upstream Measurement Regulation and the Advance Cargo Declaration Regulation.

He disclosed that the result is a remarkable 90 per cent reduction in crude oil theft from over 102,000 barrels per day in 2021 to 9,600 barrels per day as of September 2025.

Equally transformative is the Agency’s work in host community development, through which by implementing the PIA’s Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) provisions, the Commission has successfully inaugurated over 90 Trusts across the Niger Delta, ensuring that development funds flow directly tocommunities.

This model not only secures local ownership, but also guarantees peace, stability and continuity in production, key pillars for sustained energy security.

He said, “The rebound we are witnessing in Nigeria’s upstream sector is not

by chance; it is the outcome of deliberate regulatory

design, anchored on transparency, efficiency and inclusiveness.

The Commission’s strategic vision aligns with Nigeria’s broader economic goals and global sustainability commitments.

“At the same time, we are advancing Nigeria’s gas agenda as part of the “Decade of Gas” and the nation’s energy transition pathway. Natural gas remains our most reliable transition fuel, a catalyst for

industrialization, power generation and clean energy substitution.” Komolafe noted.

He further said that by promoting gas monetization, flare

elimination and gas-based investments, the Commission is reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to a just and balanced energy transition.

He said the IEA projects that upstream investment will surpass $580 billion in 2025, marking a steady recovery from pandemic lows, adding that

while renewables will continue to grow, hydrocarbons will remain central to industrialization, particularly in emerging economies like Nigeria.

“Our task therefore, is to ensure that this production is done efficiently, transparently and sustainably, consistent with international best practice.” he assured.

Komolafe, said that as the country looks to the future, the Commission will continue to prioritize measures to sustain Nigeria’s upstream rebound, achieve 2.5 million BOPD by 2027, strengthen gas monetization, protect our energy infrastructure anduphold the principles of transparency, accountability and efficiency that define our regulatory mandate.

by Dan Poster — October 10, 2025 in General News 0