Nigeria Times

AbdulSamad Rabiu, the Chairman of BUA Cement, has disclosed that the company’s efforts to reduce cement prices to ₦3,500 per bag last year were frustrated by cement dealers. Speaking at BUA Cement’s 8th Annual General Meeting in Abuja, Rabiu expressed his disappointment over the failure to pass on the intended savings to consumers.

Rabiu revealed that BUA Cement had sold over a million tons of cement to dealers at the reduced price, with the expectation that they would sell it to end-users at the same rate. However, the dealers instead sold the cement at prices between ₦7,000 and ₦8,000 per bag, taking advantage of the pricing policy and making substantial profits.

The company eventually had to abandon the initiative, as external factors like the devaluation of the naira and the removal of fuel subsidies made it unsustainable. Rabiu emphasized that BUA Cement’s goal was to make cement more affordable for Nigerians, but the company could not control market prices once the product left its control.

Despite the challenges, Rabiu assured that BUA Cement remains committed to finding ways to keep cement prices manageable, even as energy costs, denominated in dollars, continue to rise.

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The National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has left the headquarters of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Abuja after completing his statement.

Ajaero arrived at the IRT headquarters, located at Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction, around 10:17 AM and exited at 11:15 AM. Though he did not speak to the media during his visit, he indicated that he would address journalists later at the NLC headquarters.

The police had summoned Ajaero to respond to allegations related to terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony. Although he was initially summoned on August 20, Ajaero was unable to attend and instead assured authorities of his compliance today.

Ajaero was accompanied by prominent figures including Femi Falana, SAN, Marshal Abubakar, Deji Adeyanju, and several senior NLC officials as he responded to the police invitation.

The Federal Government has announced a 50% subsidy on electricity for public hospitals across Nigeria, a move aimed at reducing operational costs and alleviating the financial burden on patients.

This initiative was confirmed by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in a statement issued on Thursday. The subsidy is expected to significantly lower the energy expenses of healthcare facilities nationwide.

While speaking at the National Neo-Psychiatric Hospital in Barnawa, Kaduna, Dr. Alausa also inaugurated the Electronic Health Records system and Alternative Power Supply at the Lawal Jafaru Isah Emergency Complex. In addition, he launched a solarization project at the hospital’s dialysis unit, which includes a solar-powered borehole and a 10.2 KVA inverter with a lithium battery at the Abdulkareem Jika Yusuf COVID-19 Intervention Centre.

As part of broader healthcare reforms, Dr. Alausa announced plans to rename Federal Hospitals as Specialist Hospitals. This rebranding aims to expand the scope of care and reduce the stigma associated with certain medical facilities, allowing for a broader range of services while maintaining their core functions.

Dr. Alausa praised the work of Dr. Aishatu Yusha’u Armiyau, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, citing the institution’s achievements as evidence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to healthcare, as promised during his electoral campaign.

During his visit to the National Eye Care Centre, Dr. Alausa inaugurated the Dr. G.O Adejor Optical Showroom and the Dr. M.B Alhassan Diagnostic and Laser Unit. He also addressed the ongoing strike by Resident Doctors, which he noted was complicating efforts to secure the release of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a physician kidnapped from the hospital’s staff quarters. He called for patience and assured that efforts are underway to ensure her safe return.

Dr. Alausa also outlined plans to engage with Nigerian medical professionals abroad to address the ongoing migration of healthcare workers to other countries. Despite the structural challenges inherited by the current administration, he emphasized that President Tinubu is working closely with state governments to enhance Health Science Universities, aiming to increase annual health sciences enrollment from 24,000 to 100,000.

Earlier, Dr. Aminatu Abdulrahman, Acting Chief Medical Director of the National Eye Centre, highlighted the center’s longstanding commitment to providing specialized eye care, training, and research opportunities since its establishment in 1979.

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, on Thursday, 29th August, responded to a police invitation concerning allegations of terrorism financing, treason, and other charges.

Naija News reports that Ajaero arrived at the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) office at Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction, Abuja, accompanied by prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN).

They reached the Police facility around 10:20 am.

Details later…

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has strongly condemned a video featuring Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Canada-based woman, who threatened to kill individuals of Yoruba and Benin descent.

In the video, Sunnberger, speaking in Pidgin English, stated, “Record me very well; it’s time to start poisoning the Yoruba and the Benin. Put poison in all your food at work. Put poison in your water, so that you all die one by one.”

In response, Ohanaeze Ndigbo called on authorities to locate and hold the woman accountable under the law. The organization, through its National Publicity Secretary, Alex Ogbonnia, expressed concern over the video, emphasizing that there is no evidence to confirm that the woman is Igbo.

Ogbonnia pointed out that the behavior exhibited in the video does not align with Igbo values, which emphasize thoughtfulness, discretion, and community harmony. He reiterated that the Igbo people have historically maintained strong cultural ties with the Yoruba and Benin communities, emphasizing their shared heritage and long-standing intermarriages.

“It becomes imperative for Ohanaeze to respond, especially since Mr. Jare Ajayi, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, forwarded the clip and requested prompt action,” Ogbonnia said.

He added, “Firstly, there is no sufficient evidence that the lady in question is Igbo. Her behavior does not reflect the Igbo traits of thoughtfulness, discretion, self-censure, and equanimity. No Igbo person would contemplate throwing stones in a crowded market for fear of who might be affected.”

Ohanaeze also used this opportunity to remind the younger generations of the shared cultural and historical bonds between the Igbo, Yoruba, and Edo people, urging for unity and understanding among these communities.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has revealed the discovery of 72 illegal crude oil refining sites over the past week. These refineries were located and dismantled in Rivers, Delta, and Abia states, according to a recent video report by the company.

Additionally, on August 18, a vessel carrying stolen Shell Petroleum Development Company flow lines was intercepted in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State, leading to the arrest of 12 suspects. The NNPC reported that these individuals are now under investigation.

The NNPC also recorded 46 vessel automatic identification system infractions at sea and apprehended 24 wooden boats transporting stolen crude in Rivers and Bayelsa States. On land, vehicles loaded with stolen crude were seized in Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa.

In the week from August 17 to 23, 33 illegal oil connections were discovered, and there were eight oil spills resulting from vandalism. Twelve sites used for storing stolen and illegally refined crude were uncovered. The report noted a total of 204 oil theft incidents, with 47 in deep blue water, 10 in the western region, 100 in the central region, and 47 in the eastern region. A total of 42 suspects have been arrested in connection with these incidents.