By Elijah Oguche, Abuja

The group under the auspices of the Divine Mandate Kaduna State Chapter on Monday evening lauded Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia for relocating some Internally Displaced Persons in Benue back to ancestral homes.

Coordinator of Divine Mandate Kaduna State Chapter Comrade Emmanuel Atule who spoke during a courtesy call on the New Benue Liaison Director in Kaduna said that, the Governor through a sincere synergy with some security agencies have relocated some displaced persons to their ancestral homes.

“I cannot argue that there is no insecurity in Benue State. There is insecurity in Benue State, which is the major challenge that we are facing now.

But my advice to the people of Benue State, especially the stakeholders, is that the issue of insecurity is not a one-man business.” He stressed.

On food production in Benue State, Atule revealed that “food production in Benue State State is still on the high side because on assumptions of office, the governor of the State, subsidized fertilizer to N17,500 per bag. And not just that, he subsidized other agro products for farmers to get access to them and farm very well. And as a result of that, there is enough food in Benue State”.

Earlier, the new Director Benue Liaison office in Kaduna Mr. Andrew Anure who resumed work on Monday said Governor Hyacinth Alia has not failed.

According to Anure, Benue State is witnessing massive road networking, industrialization, transparency in Government policies and substantial medical breakthrough via deliberate expansion of Hospital facilities in the State.

He promised to support Benue Community in Kaduna for purposeful development especially in management and expansion of the state assets like the Benue links and others

A youth leader from Enugu North, Comrade Ezekiel Eze has felicitated the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah who turned 54 years yesterday, describing him as the best politician in the State. 

Speaking with our Correspondent in Abuja, Comrade Ezekiel said that Enugu State has not seen the best of Governor Mbah yet, until he returns for the second term emphasizing that “the people of the state are proud of such an illustrious son who is driving major developmental strides, moving Enugu forward with the desired speed”.

“I’m happy to have Governor Mbah as my leader both at the party and government levels.

He’s a very brilliant man, with deft political calculation and unmatched excellence in developmental strides. He has changed the face of the state in all ramifications. Where do I start mentioning his achievements? In Sports, Enugu Rangers is second on the premier league table. On transportation, have you flown Enugu Air, which his government singlehandedly brought for us? Check the indices on education where he’s building Smart schools across each community in the state. On infrastructure, security, agriculture and see for your self. So, I’m wishing him a resounding, gracious and fruitful birthday”, he said. 

Comrade Ezekiel, who recently declared his interest to fill the vacant Enugu North senatorial seat however urged the entire people of Enugu North to support the government of Governor Mbah, saying that as a loyal party member, his support for APC both at the national and state level was unprecedented. 

” Let me use this opportunity to wish my Governor, His Excellency Peter Ndubusi Mbah a happy birthday. He’s a perfect gentleman who came into governance for the good of the common people. He’s liberal, intelligent and extremely pro people. He has given Enugu a beautiful face lift and he would do more when he returns to complete his tenure. I support him with my body and soul. I appeal to all persons from Enugu North to support him because the records of his works are there for everyone to see. 

” Yes, I’m interested in becoming the senator representing Enugu North. I’m young,like my Governor and also his political student. Governance now is for young people with sound and positive mindset. The era of old people are gone, and the surge in technology bears testimony to this”, he said. 

Speaking on his chances of winning the party ticket, Comrade Ezekiel said he’s very optimistic and doing everything within his reach to actualize the dream. 

“I’m not going in for showmanship. I’m fully out for the contest and I’m sure of victory. Why shouldn’t I win? I have consulted far and wide,but much more than anything else, I’m mentally and physically prepared to walk to the Senate and bring the best of legislative excellence to my people”, he said.

Enugu North is currently without a senator at the national assembly, following the death of Okey Ezea who passed on recently; a vacuum Comrade Ezekiel believes he’s to fill in. 

Motorists and commuters across Lagos are facing rising transportation costs following another increase in the pump price of petrol, which now sells for between N1, 250 and N1, 350 per litre at filling stations.

A survey showed growing concern among road users as the increase, driven largely by global supply pressures and domestic price adjustments, continues to influence transportation expenses.

The latest increase follows another upward review of petrol prices by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which raised the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to N1, 175 per litre from N995 earlier in the week.

The adjustment represents an increase of N180, about 18.1 per cent within three days, marking the refinery’s third price review within the week and prompting swift adjustments across the downstream market.

Industry sources attribute the rise partly to heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly the escalating standoff between Israel and Iran, as well as attacks linked to Yemen’s Houthi movement in the Red Sea corridor.

The instability has forced many oil tankers to reroute from traditional shipping lanes, pushing global freight costs up by roughly 40 per cent, according to market data from the Baltic Exchange.

At the same time, international oil prices have risen, with Brent crude approaching 99 dollars per barrel, while the Nigerian currency trades at about N1, 650 to the dollar, factors analysts say are contributing to higher domestic fuel prices.

However, with the emergence of the Dangote refinery, Nigeria continues to rely significantly on imported refined petroleum products.

The spokesperson for the refinery, Anthony Echiejina, said the price adjustment reflects rising feedstock and logistics costs associated with developments in the global energy market.

Checks revealed that retail prices have increased across several outlets in Lagos, with petrol selling between N1, 200 and N1, 350 per litre depending on location.

Major marketers have also adjusted their pump prices. MRS Oil Nigeria Plc and Matrix Energy Group sell petrol at about N1, 250 per litre, while outlets of Ardova Plc (formerly AP) retail the product at around N1, 300 per litre.

Some independent stations charge slightly higher prices.

A NorthWest outlet in the Gbagada area dispensed petrol at about N1, 250 per litre, while several other stations across the metropolis sold the product close to the N1, 200 mark.

At a Mobil Station along the LASU–Isheri Road corridor, petrol was sold at N1, 250 per litre, while Petrocam Station nearby dispensed fuel at the same price.

Similarly, MRS stations in parts of Alimosho sold petrol at about N1, 250 per litre, while Mobil outlets in Alaguntan and Iyana Ipaja recorded prices of N1, 250 and N1, 350 per litre respectively.

Other stations, including Heyden outlets in Iyana Ipaja and along the Oshodi–Abeokuta Expressway, also sold petrol at about N1, 250 per litre, reflecting a broad market trend.

Meanwhile, market insiders have said pricing differences were increasingly influenced by variations in product sourcing, particularly between coastal marine lifting arrangements and gantry loading operations.

The increase in fuel prices has already led to higher transportation fares across Lagos, with commuters reporting increases of more than 30 per cent on several routes.

Commercial driver, Sodiq Olarenwaju, said the rising cost of petrol had made daily operations more demanding.

“We are the ones passengers blame for increasing fares, but they don’t realise how much we now spend on petrol.

“If we buy fuel at over N1, 000 per litre, we have no option but to adjust fares,” he said.

Another motorist, Funke Oladipo, described the experience of searching for fuel as stressful.

“I have been driving around since morning with my jerry can looking for petrol. Some stations that opened earlier have already shut their gates,” she said.

A private car owner, Dr. Adewale Suleiman, said fuel price increases often had wider economic implications.

“When fuel goes up, transport fares rise and the prices of goods follow immediately,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf, said geopolitical tensions in the Middle East often lead to volatility in global oil markets.

According to him, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 per cent of global crude oil shipments pass daily, can quickly push up oil prices, shipping costs and insurance premiums worldwide.

He noted that higher fuel prices could affect multiple sectors of the economy, particularly industries that rely heavily on energy and transportation.

“For manufacturers, the consequences can be significant, as many factories rely on diesel-powered generators due to electricity supply challenges,” Yusuf said.

The CPPE boss explained that rising fuel prices might increase costs of logistics; transporting raw materials and finished goods, potentially adding to inflationary pressures.

“As manufacturers absorb higher energy and logistics costs, firms may adjust pricing structures or production levels,” Yusuf said.

He also noted that Nigeria might not fully benefit from higher oil prices because crude production remains below capacity, fluctuating between about 1.4 million and 1.6 million barrels per day.

The organisation recommended measures such as strengthening crude production, building fiscal buffers from higher oil revenues and expanding domestic refining capacity.

It also emphasised the importance of sustained foreign exchange reforms, targeted support for vulnerable households and continued economic diversification.

“The evolving situation in the global energy market presents both opportunities and challenges for Nigeria,” Yusuf said.