Metro

Bear with me, local refineries will begin production soon— Tinubu begs Nigerians again

Published

12 months ago

November 27, 2023

President Bola Tinubu has once again pleaded with Nigerians to bear with him in the face of the hardship they are going through as a result of the sudden removal of fuel subsidy in his inaugural speech on May 29, without adequate palliative measures put on ground.

President Tinubu who, on different occasions, has called on Nigerians to bear the pains his administration has inflicted on them saying they are only temporary, once again reiterated that the four refineries in the country would soon commence operations for the production of petroleum products which would bring succour to the people.

During his maiden speech, Tinubu had also vowed to do everything possible to see that one of the biggest local refineries located in Port Harcourt would recommence operations by December 2023; but with a month to the end of the year, anxiety is building as to whether it would be yet another failed promise.

However, during the 11th Convocation ceremony of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) on Saturday, Tinubu once again promised that not only would he do all it took to fix the refineries, but that they would soon resume optimum production which would ultimately bring down the high cost of petroleum products in the country.

“Very soon, some of our local refineries will start production, and the current exorbitant prices of fuel energy will be greatly reduced,” Tinubu said through his representative, the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Professor Garba Sharubutu.

Acknowledging the economic hardship in the country, Tinubu appealed for patience and continued support from Nigerians for his administration as efforts were made to address the challenges in the country.

“Bear with us and remain resolutely in support of this administration, as we would leave no stone unturned in reversing the severe hardships that our people are currently passing through.

“Part of the supplementary budget that the Parliament has approved will be applied to bring interventions to critical segments of the agricultural sector.

“The burden of insecurity is clearly a major challenge in Nigeria, but I assure you that in no distant time, it will become history,” he added.

The previous day, the Group Managing Director of state-owned oil firm, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, had also announced that the country would end the importation of refined petroleum products by December 2024, while briefing lawmakers on steps being taken by the corporation to achieve the deadline.

Kyari said that all the four refineries in the country located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna would be operational by then.

“I can confirm to you that by the end of December this year, we will start the Port Harcourt refinery; early in the first quarter of 2024, we will start the Warri refinery; and by the end of 2024, Kaduna refinery will come into operation.

“We will no longer be talking about fuel importation by the end of 2024. I am very optimistic that this will crystallize,” he had said.

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Metro

Nigeria ranks 7th with international students’ enrolment in US

Published

4 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A report released by the United States Embassy in Abuja has reveals that Nigeria is currently ranked seventh on the list of countries with international students enrolment in U.S. colleges and universities.

The report which was released on Tuesday, puts international students enrollment this year at a record-breaking 1,126,690, with Nigerian students’ enrolment rising to 20,029 students in 2023/2024.

The report titled, “2024 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange” indicated a 13.5 percent increase from the previous year, placing Nigeria as Africa’s leading source of international students and 7th globally.

The Open Doors Report is an annual publication of the Institute of International Education (IIE) in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

“This milestone aligns with the 75th anniversary of the Open Doors Report, the leading benchmark for international educational exchange in the United States,” the report said.

“Notably, Nigeria with 20,029 students, reinforces its position as the top sending country from Africa and the seventh largest globally.

“Nigerian students bring a wealth of diversity, perspectives, and academic excellence to U.S. universities, enriching the educational experience for all students.

“Nigerian scholars are known for their strong academic backgrounds and commitment to advanced education, with over 55% pursuing graduate-level studies in the United States.

“The growth in Nigerian students choosing to study in the U.S. reflects both the strong U.S. commitment to high-quality education and the growing interest of Nigerian scholars in international academic experiences.

“It also highlights the importance of people-to-people connections that deepen understanding and strengthen bonds between Nigeria and the United States.”

Metro

Catholic bishops in Zambia decry ‘shrinking democratic space’, hounding of opposition parties

Published

1 day ago

November 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has decried what it describes as a shrinking and deteriorating democratic environment, marked by the arrests and prolonged detention of opposition leaders.

In a letter signed and issued by all 11 Catholic Bishops in Zambia in Lusaka on Sunday, the clerics lamented that at least six opposition leaders were currently facing charges linked to their political activities, highlighting what they termed as a significant restriction of democratic freedoms.

“We are gravely concerned by the shrinking democratic space in the country. For example, about six or more opposition leaders are facing the law simply because of their participation in political activism,” the letter stated.

The Catholic Bishops called on the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) to ensure fairness in the political landscape.

“We urge the government to tolerate divergent views and promote democracy in the country,” they said.

The Bishops also condemned the prolonged detention of political figures, journalists, and other individuals without trial, asserting that such practices undermine democratic principles.

“Of concern is the detention of individuals, journalists, and opposition political leaders for expressing their views on governance issues,” the letter read.

The pastoral letter also criticized the UPND government for its use of derogatory language against the Church, referencing UPND Secretary-General Batuke Imenda’s labelling of Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda as “Lucifer.”

“The Church expected Mr. Imenda to apologize for his remarks, as they were not only an insult to Archbishop Banda but to the entire Catholic Church,” the Bishops emphasized.

The letter further condemned the deployment of police officers to the Cathedral of the Child Jesus, viewing it as a form of intimidation.