The FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has confirmed that the death toll from the tragic accident involving a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-laden truck and several other vehicles near the Karu Bridge along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway has risen to eight. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, and the initial report from the FCT Police Command confirmed six fatalities and 14 vehicles burnt.

However, the Acting Director General of the FEMD, Abdulrahman Mohammed, provided an update on Thursday, revealing that two more victims had succumbed to their injuries, bringing the total number of deaths to eight. He explained that of the six bodies recovered at the scene, four were burnt beyond recognition. The other two victims, initially rescued, passed away in the following morning.

In addition to the fatalities, 30 individuals are receiving medical treatment at various hospitals across the FCT. Mohammed confirmed that the victims are being treated at Karu General Hospital (8), Customs Hospital (10), National Hospital (11), and Aso Clinic (1). He instructed his team to check Asokoro Hospital for any other possible victims.

The incident has deeply shocked many, with survivors recounting the horrific scenes, including an eyewitness who described seeing the fire engulfing victims. This tragic accident highlights ongoing safety concerns on Nigerian highways, especially with heavy-duty vehicles transporting hazardous materials.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is set to roll out electronic visas (e-visas) as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency and reduce corruption in its immigration processes. This announcement was made by the Comptroller General of the NIS, Kemi Nandap, during the opening of the 3rd Nationwide Sensitization Campaign on ensuring efficient service delivery with a focus on zero tolerance for corruption in Abuja.

Nandap revealed that the introduction of the e-visa system would streamline the visa application process, making it more efficient and convenient for travelers. The move aims to minimize human contact in the application process, which will help reduce the risk of corruption. By making the process digital, the NIS hopes to create a more transparent and accessible system for those looking to visit Nigeria.

The sensitization campaign, themed “Increased Digitalization and Consolidated Innovations for Efficient and Transparent Services,” is part of broader efforts to address corruption within the service. Nandap emphasized that the event would be conducted across all NIS Commands and Formations, underscoring the importance of public accountability and feedback.

The NIS plays a crucial role in national security, border management, and the facilitation of migration, and Nandap acknowledged that the Service’s actions directly impact Nigeria’s image.

As part of its anti-corruption initiatives, Nandap highlighted the success of the Passport Automation Programme, which has significantly reduced processing times for passports. This digital transformation has also eliminated corruption opportunities that were previously linked to the manual processing system due to the high level of human interaction.

Furthermore, another key aspect of the NIS’s anti-corruption strategy is the Contactless Passport Application Process. This allows Nigerians to submit passport applications online, eliminating physical contact with officers and reducing the potential for corrupt practices, thus making the entire process more efficient and transparent.

Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited, a prominent Nigerian energy solutions provider, has announced the appointment of Mrs. Adenike Labinjo as its new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer. The company described this appointment as a pivotal moment in its journey, underscoring its commitment to operational excellence, industry leadership, and sustainable growth within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Labinjo brings over three decades of experience in business development, operations management, and corporate strategy. Prior to her appointment as MD/CEO, she served as the Chief Operating Officer and Acting Managing Director at Pinnacle Oil and Gas, succeeding Bob Dickerman. Labinjo’s expertise and leadership during her tenure in these roles have been instrumental in the company’s development.

Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero, the Chairman of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited, expressed confidence in Labinjo’s leadership, highlighting her dynamic management skills and strategic vision. He emphasized that her appointment would drive the company to new heights, expanding its market dominance, optimizing operations, and enhancing its reputation as a leader in energy innovation.

Before joining Pinnacle, Labinjo held significant leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer at Petrolex Oil and Gas, where she led initiatives to improve profitability across various business units. She also played a crucial role in Oando PLC’s merger process between Agip Nigeria and Unipetrol (now Oando).

In her statement, Labinjo expressed pride in assuming her new role and pledged to work with the company’s Board, team, and stakeholders to build on the company’s legacy. Her goals include driving growth, enhancing operational performance, and advancing sustainability in Nigeria’s energy sector.

Labinjo’s leadership is expected to steer Pinnacle Oil and Gas towards a stronger market presence, improved operations, and greater contributions to Nigeria’s evolving energy needs.

The South-South Governors’ Forum has called for the reversal of the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. In a statement issued on Thursday, signed by the forum’s chairman, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, the governors expressed their concerns about the political situation in Rivers and proposed that the state of emergency be rescinded to reduce tensions and lay the groundwork for lasting peace.

The forum emphasized the importance of dialogue as a way forward, urging all parties involved to remain calm and uphold peace, in accordance with the Constitution of Nigeria. The statement also highlighted that while the president has the constitutional responsibility to maintain law and order, the situation in Rivers State does not meet the criteria for declaring a state of emergency as stipulated in Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution.

This section outlines specific conditions under which a state of emergency can be declared, such as war, external aggression, imminent invasion, breakdown of public order, or existential threats to Nigeria. The governors argue that the political crisis in Rivers does not meet these conditions, and that the matter should ideally be addressed through legal and constitutional means rather than an executive order.

The forum also pointed out that the Constitution provides procedures for the removal of a governor and deputy governor, as well as members of the House of Assembly, which should have been considered before the state of emergency was declared.

The South-South Governors’ Forum’s statement calls for dialogue to resolve the issues in Rivers State, urging a peaceful and constitutional resolution to the political crisis.

The House of Representatives has approved the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, along with a six-month suspension of Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This approval came after President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation, which was confirmed through a voice vote during plenary on Thursday.

The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, presided over the plenary and called for contributions from members regarding the general principles of the President’s report. Benue lawmaker and Deputy Spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese, proposed the creation of a national mediation committee to help facilitate peace between Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly. This proposal was approved by the House.

Additionally, the Minority Whip suggested that the six-month suspension of the governor and the legislature should not be permanent. He recommended that if peace is reached between the two parties, the emergency rule should be lifted before the six months. This suggestion was also approved by the House.

Before the discussion, the Speaker read a letter from the President notifying the House of the emergency declaration. The House briefly went into an executive session for about 10 minutes before returning to the plenary.

An attempt by Abia lawmaker Obi Agwuncha to halt the debate on the declaration, citing Section 305 (6b) of the Constitution, which requires two-thirds of the House members to be present, was overruled by the Speaker.

This decision marks a significant step in addressing the political crisis in Rivers State, with the potential for further dialogue and mediation to resolve the underlying issues.

The National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) has appealed to Nigerians, especially residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to donate blood to help support the victims of the tragic tanker explosion on the Aya-Karu expressway in Abuja. The explosion, which occurred on Wednesday evening, resulted in multiple casualties, many of whom require immediate blood transfusions.

According to the NBSA’s Director-General, Prof. Saleh Yuguda, hospitals and emergency response teams are working relentlessly to save lives, but a steady blood supply is critical for their efforts. The explosion involved a Compressed Natural Gas truck that lost control and crashed into another truck, causing the fire that led to the fatalities and injuries. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported six deaths and at least 18 burnt vehicles, though the exact number of injured victims is still unclear.

The injured have been taken to various hospitals, including the National Hospital and Karu General Hospital, for treatment. The NBSA is urging all eligible individuals to visit blood donation centers across the FCT and donate voluntarily. This generous act can significantly help those in critical condition.

For more details on how to donate or to find the nearest donation centers, the public can reach out to the NBSA at their office on 39 Abidjan Street, Zone Wuse, or call 07088370905.

This call for donations is a crucial step in ensuring that victims of this tragic accident receive the life-saving care they need.

The missile launched by Houthi militants from Yemen towards Israel marks an escalation in hostilities, which comes in the context of intensified U.S. military strikes on the Houthis and rising tensions over their support for Palestinian factions. The missile was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force before it could reach Israeli territory, and sirens were triggered in cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. This missile attack is part of a broader series of Houthi retaliations for U.S. actions and Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

The U.S. military strikes on the Houthis began as a response to their attacks on Red Sea shipping and have resulted in casualties. President Trump has warned Iran, accusing it of supporting the Houthis and threatening consequences for any further Houthi attacks. Iran, however, has denied involvement, with its Revolutionary Guards stating that the Houthis operate independently.

The Houthis, who have also targeted shipping and carried out over 100 attacks since late 2023, have pledged to intensify their strikes against Israel, in what they describe as solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

This article highlights Prince William’s visit to Estonia, showcasing his support for UK troops stationed there to help defend NATO’s eastern border against potential Russian aggression. The visit is a strong show of support for the Baltic states, particularly Estonia, which has expressed concerns about the security threat from Russia, especially following the invasion of Ukraine. The visit involves meetings with Estonian leadership and visits to a school for Ukrainian refugees, symbolizing solidarity and support.

From the Estonian perspective, the threat from Russia is very real, with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine raising fears that if Ukraine falls, Estonia could be next. The country is already facing significant challenges, including a rising number of cyber-attacks and misinformation campaigns from Russia. Many Estonians, including students at the University of Tallinn, are concerned about their nation’s vulnerability, especially given the proximity to Russia and the ongoing tension.

This visit also underscores the importance of NATO’s role in maintaining security in the region, with Estonia increasing its defense spending and seeking stronger military alliances. The concerns about Russia’s expansionism are not just political but deeply personal for many Estonians, particularly younger generations who grew up with stories of Soviet occupation.

Do you think this royal visit helps reinforce NATO’s commitment to defending Eastern Europe, especially countries like Estonia?

Embattled Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged to engage all relevant institutions to ensure the stability of democracy in the state, following the suspension of his office for six months by President Bola Tinubu and the declaration of a state of emergency. The suspension comes after ongoing tensions between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, leading to a crisis in the state.

In his statement, Fubara emphasized that despite political disagreements, the state had continued to function effectively, with salaries paid and key projects underway. He reassured the people of Rivers State that under his leadership, the state remained safe, secure, and peaceful. Fubara urged residents to stay calm and law-abiding during this critical period.

He further expressed his determination to work with all institutions to ensure that Rivers State continues to thrive and that democracy remains intact. “We have always been resilient people,” he said, stressing that the state would face this challenge with wisdom, patience, and faith in the democratic process.

In the meantime, President Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the state administrator to oversee governance in the interim. Additionally, the Rivers State deputy governor and members of the state House of Assembly were also suspended.

President Donald Trump had a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, a day after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump took to Truth Social to describe the call with Zelenskyy as “a very good telephone call,” lasting around an hour.

Trump mentioned that much of the discussion focused on aligning the positions of Russia and Ukraine based on the content of his earlier conversation with President Putin, aiming to address the requests and needs of both parties. He also suggested that a ceasefire agreement could be imminent, stating, “We are very much on track.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz are expected to provide a detailed account of the conversation between Trump and Zelenskyy.

Trump has taken on the role of a mediator in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict since his return to the White House in January.

Close to 70,000 South Africans have shown interest in moving to the United States following a proposal by President Donald Trump to resettle members of the Afrikaner community. The South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (Saccusa) revealed that its website received tens of thousands of registrations from people seeking more information about the resettlement offer.

In a February executive order, President Trump offered refugees status to Afrikaners, the descendants of Dutch settlers who arrived in South Africa in the 17th century, citing their status as victims of racial discrimination. This move is part of broader tensions between the US and South Africa, which have escalated since Trump became president.

Saccusa, a group representing South African businesspeople in the US, took action after being flooded with inquiries. The organization handed over the list of interested individuals to the US embassy in Pretoria. The embassy has confirmed receiving the list, which includes 67,042 registrations, most from individuals with Afrikaner or English names. These individuals are primarily between 25 and 45 years old, with two to three dependents.

The business group emphasized that it was not involved in the resettlement process as an official government body but got involved due to the overwhelming interest from people wanting to learn about the opportunity.

The offer from Trump comes amid rising tensions between the US and South Africa. The situation worsened in January when South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a bill into law allowing land expropriation without compensation in the public interest, particularly aimed at redistributing farmland from the white minority. This move led to Trump criticizing South Africa’s land reform policy and offering refuge to Afrikaners, whom he described as “escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination.”

In March, Trump extended the invitation to all South African farmers, calling the country “a bad place to be right now,” and in response to the land reform law, he cut aid to South Africa. However, President Ramaphosa clarified that the bill was designed to ensure equitable access to land and that no land had yet been seized.

The political tensions between the US and South Africa have escalated further, with the US recently expelling South Africa’s ambassador in Washington. This diplomatic dispute highlights the ongoing strains between the two countries over issues of race, land reform, and national identity.

The Federal Government has defended its decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, explaining the government’s reasoning behind the move. Fagbemi emphasized that no responsible government could ignore the deteriorating situation in the state, which had escalated into severe issues, including the bombing of oil installations.

According to Fagbemi, the crisis was triggered by the destruction of the State House of Assembly by Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration, which prevented lawmakers from carrying out their duties. This act, he argued, was the root cause of the political turmoil that necessitated the presidential declaration of a state of emergency.

During a session at the Meet the Press forum, Fagbemi further explained that President Bola Tinubu had initially allowed all parties involved in the crisis six months to reach a resolution. However, as the situation worsened, including threats of impeachment against the governor, the federal government had no choice but to intervene with the state of emergency.

The AGF also clarified that with the state of emergency now in effect, the state’s allocations would be disbursed to the new sole administrator upon request, in an effort to stabilize the state and restore governance.

This justification comes amid significant controversy and political debate surrounding the emergency declaration in Rivers State.

There is growing concern in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector following reports that Dangote Refinery may halt the supply of petroleum products for the domestic market. This development comes amid slow progress in the renegotiation of the Naira-for-crude deal between the Nigerian government and Dangote Refinery.

Sources close to the situation indicated that while the refinery might stop supplying fuel for the domestic market, it will continue to export petroleum products, as it sources its crude oil from the international market, paid for in U.S. dollars. However, Anthony Chiejina, a spokesperson for Dangote Group, denied any knowledge of plans to stop domestic fuel supply, stating, “I am not aware.”

This situation follows ongoing discussions between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery regarding a new contract for the Naira-for-crude deal, which was initiated in October last year. The deal allowed Dangote Refinery to sell petroleum products to Nigerian marketers in naira, with NNPCL supplying crude oil purchased with the local currency.

In recent months, the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has fallen to about N860 per liter, partly due to a price competition between Dangote Refinery and NNPCL. The potential halt in domestic supply is creating uncertainty in the oil sector, with many awaiting developments in the ongoing negotiations.