Ono K. Akpe, the Director General of the Prosperity Cup, has expressed deep appreciation for the Head of the Federal Civil Service, Dame Didi Walson Jack, acknowledging her unwavering dedication to youth empowerment and transformation within the civil service.

During a courtesy visit to her office, Akpe noted that Dame Walson Jack’s God-fearing, humble, and committed leadership continues to inspire many, particularly the youth of Bayelsa State. He described the meeting as an honor and highlighted her invaluable contributions to fostering positive change within the Federal Civil Service.

“I’m very grateful to have met you, Madam, Dame Didi Walson Jack. Your God-fearing, humble, and dedicated nature inspires us all. Thank you for your love and support for the youths of Bayelsa and your commitment to transforming the Federal Civil Service. I’m honored to have been received in your office. May God continue to bless you,” Akpe said.

Dame Didi Walson Jack, a renowned administrator and reform advocate, has played a pivotal role in driving structural improvements and fostering professional excellence within the Federal Civil Service. Her commitment to empowering young Nigerians aligns with the objectives of the Prosperity Cup, the country’s largest grassroots football tournaments aimed at nurturing young talents and fostering development through sports.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, in a viral video.

Following Tinubu’s order, Badaru said the military will continue its onslaught against bandits and all forms of criminalities.

The Minister said bandits are currently on the run and that the military won’t stop until they are all flushed out.

According to Badaru: “The bandits are now on the run, but the military will not rest until we end this thing. The president has given us marching orders to end insecurity in every part of our country by the end of this year.

“The Chief of Defence Staff, NSA are working day and night to actualize that target, as you have seen we are putting pressure on all the theatre operations.

“And indeed, mining activities have been lifted in Zamfara already and this is part of the reason we are meeting today to look at all areas where we have serious security issues and how best we can secure those areas.”

Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has indicated that the anticipated reduction in pump prices for petroleum products following Dangote Refinery’s recent ex-depot price cut may not reflect immediately in pump prices nationwide.

The National President of PETROAN, Billy Gillis-Harry, welcomed the depot price reduction by Dangote, but highlighted the challenges of implementing an immediate change in retail prices.

Recall that Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced a reduction in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol from N950 to N890 per litre and the new price took effect on Saturday, February 1, 2025.

In a statement signed by Dangote Group’s Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the refinery attributed the price adjustment to positive developments in the global energy and gas markets, as well as a recent decline in international crude oil prices.

This reduction, according to the refinery, aligns with its commitment to transparency and fairness, as evidenced by a previous price increase on January 19, which was necessitated by rising crude oil prices at the time.

Dangote Refinery expressed confidence that the new pricing would lead to a significant reduction in the cost of petrol across the country. This, in turn, is expected to lower the prices of goods and services, ease the cost of living, and create positive ripple effects across various sectors of the economy.

“As part of Dangote Refinery’s unwavering commitment to transparency and fairness, this price revision reflects the ongoing fluctuations in global crude oil markets, as highlighted in the refinery’s statement on 19th January, when a modest increase was implemented due to the previously rising international crude oil prices.

“In addition, Dangote Petroleum Refinery calls upon marketers to collaborate in this effort, to ensure that these benefits are passed on to the Nigerian populace.

This collective initiative will contribute to the wider economic recovery plan led by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is dedicated to making Nigeria self-sufficient in refined petroleum products and positioning the country as a leading oil export hub,” it stated.

The PETROAN President highlighted that while the price reduction might not immediately be reflected at the pumps, he urged members of the association to lower their retail prices accordingly when purchasing fuel at the reduced price.

He explained that many filling stations still had stock purchased at the previous higher price, which would make it difficult for them to adjust pump prices immediately.

“Price changes are not usually instantly applicable, but ultimately it will apply. You can’t see it immediately, because we have already bought products, we have already purchased different kinds of products in our retail outlets at the price it was prior to the changes made,” he said.

He, however, reiterated the association’s commitment to collaborating with the Dangote refinery and other stakeholders to ensure fair pricing and sustainability in the downstream petroleum sector.

He advocated that anyone buying at the new price from yesterday (Sunday) should endeavour to reflect that price in their retail outlets to ensure consistency and fairness in the market.

MEANWHILE, PETROAN has said its members are now loading petroleum products from the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.

In a statement at the weekend, PETROAN’s spokesman, Joseph Obele, said the loading had doused previous doubts that the refineries owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) were not fully operational.

“PETROAN members are now loading petroleum products, including Dual-Purpose Kerosene, Automotive Gas Oil, and Premium Motor Spirits,” he said.

“The resurgence of these refineries has sparked intense competition, expected to drive down petroleum prices.

“As Nigerians advocate for lower PMS prices, it is clear that competition is a crucial factor in triggering price reductions.

“The refineries’ revitalisation has brought numerous benefits, including the eradication of adulterated diesel and kerosene from the market.”

Obele said the lack of functional refineries resulted in the widespread circulation of counterfeit petroleum products, putting consumers at serious risk.

Nigeria’s fight against HIV/AIDS has been significantly aided by international donors, particularly PEPFAR

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a N4.8 billion fund for the procurement of 150,000 HIV treatment packs, ensuring continuous care for those living with the virus.

This decision, announced after the FEC meeting on Monday, is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen domestic funding for HIV treatment.

It comes amid concerns over the potential impact of recent US policy shifts on the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has been a major source of HIV funding in Nigeria.

Speaking on the approval, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, emphasised the importance of sustaining HIV treatment efforts, particularly as international aid dynamics shift.

Mr Pate noted that while global partners have played a crucial role in providing treatment support, the federal government is now taking deliberate steps to invest in life-saving interventions for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Nigeria.

“This is an important signal that the federal government is committed to ensuring that life-saving treatments remain accessible, despite the changing dynamics in external support,” Mr Pate said.

Funding concerns
Nigeria’s fight against HIV/AIDS has been significantly aided by international donors, particularly PEPFAR, which has provided billions of dollars in funding over the past two decades.

PEPFAR, which provides HIV treatment to over 20.6 million people worldwide, faced a temporary funding suspension due to President Donald Trump’s executive order on foreign aid.

The order halted many overseas assistance programmes, putting millions at risk.

However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently granted an “emergency humanitarian waiver,” allowing PEPFAR to resume operations in 55 countries, including Nigeria.

In response to these uncertainties, Mr Pate reassured stakeholders that the Nigerian government is proactively developing a transition and sustainability plan to address potential funding shortfalls.

Reliance on foreign aid
Mr Pate disclosed that the FEC discussed the implications of US policy changes on health programmes, particularly those addressing HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.

“In light of the US government’s ongoing 90-day review of its development assistance policies, we have set up a committee comprising the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Environment, and the Governors’ Forum to develop a transition and sustainability plan,” he said.

“This is to ensure that Nigerians receiving treatment do not face disruptions.”

The committee’s mandate is to assess the implications of the US policy shift and devise strategies to ensure the continuity of critical health programmes.

Mr Pate further acknowledged the significant contributions made by the US over the past two decades but stressed that Nigeria is preparing to reduce its reliance on foreign aid.

“While we greatly appreciate the contributions of the US government over the last 20 years and look forward to continued collaboration, Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu is focused on transforming the health sector through national systems and domestic financing,” he said.

He said the goal is to ensure that no patient currently receiving treatment is left without care.

China will impose tariffs of 15 percent on imports of coal and LNG from the US in retaliation for 10 percent levies on Chinese goods.

China will impose tariffs of 15 percent on imports of coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States in retaliation for Washington’s 10 percent levies on Chinese goods.

China’s Ministry of Finance also announced on Tuesday that there would be 10 percent tariffs on imports from the US of crude oil, agricultural machinery, large-displacement vehicles and pick-up trucks.

The new measures were in response to the “unilateral tariff hike” by the US, it said, adding that Washington’s decision “seriously violates World Trade Organization rules, does nothing to resolve its own problems, and disrupts normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the United States”.

Beijing’s tariffs, which come into force on February 10, were announced shortly after US President Donald Trump said he would hold a call with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in the next 24 hours.

On Saturday, Trump announced sweeping measures against its top trade partners, including Canada and Mexico, with goods from China facing an additional 10 percent tariff on top of the duties they already endure.

Trump said the measures aimed to punish countries for failing to halt flows of undocumented migrants and drugs, including fentanyl, into the US.

However, on Monday, he suspended his threat of tariffs on Mexico and Canada, agreeing to a 30-day pause in return for concessions on border and crime enforcement with the neighbouring countries.

“China’s retaliatory tariffs are a calibrated response rather than an outright escalation,” Julien Chaisse, professor at City University of Hong Kong specialising in international economic law, said.

“The measures demonstrate Beijing’s willingness to impose economic costs on Washington while maintaining flexibility for negotiation.

“The choice of a February 10 start date appears strategic. It allows time for a possible discussion between Trump and Xi which is creating space for last-minute diplomacy before the measures take effect. If talks between the two take place in the coming days, there is room for adjustments, partial exemptions or reciprocal gestures that could prevent a further spiral in trade tensions.

“That said, much will depend on Washington’s interpretation of these measures. If the US views them as a calibrated step leaving room for negotiation, this could set the stage for discussions rather than further escalation. However, if Trump sees this as a direct challenge, his administration could respond with additional trade restrictions. This would intensify the conflict.”

During his first term in 2018, Trump initiated a brutal two-year trade war with China over its massive US trade surplus, with tit-for-tat tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods upending global supply chains and damaging the world economy.

To end that trade war, China agreed in 2020 to spend an extra $200bn a year on US goods, but the plan was derailed by the COVID pandemic and its annual trade deficit widened to $361bn, according to Chinese customs data released last month.

Trump warned he might increase tariffs on China further unless Beijing stemmed the flow of fentanyl, a deadly opioid, into the US.

China has called fentanyl a US problem and said it would challenge the tariffs at the World Trade Organization and take other countermeasures, but also left the door open for talks.

…Celebrates The Niger Delta Sports Festival

The Director General of Nigeria’s largest grassroots football tournament, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged the “Prosperity Cup,” Mr. Ono K. Akpe, has congratulated the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Baraladei Igali, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a birthday message, Mr. Akpe described Dr. Igali as a leader worth celebrating for his outstanding accomplishments as Commissioner for Sports Development. He noted that Dr. Igali’s appointment as Sports Commissioner has given sports a new direction in the last five years.

The statement lauded Dr. Igali’s outstanding contributions towards the growth and development of sports in Bayelsa State, describing his appointment as a perfect example of a round peg in a round hole. According to Mr. Akpe, the celebrated Olympian, Dr. Igali, is a global ambassador who has given Bayelsa a positive image globally.

Mr. Akpe pointed out that the younger generation of athletes is lucky to have Dr. Igali as a role model. He thanked Governor Douye Diri for appointing a renowned sports administrator as Sports Commissioner, highlighting Dr. Igali’s achievements, including ensuring Bayelsa’s podium finish at various National Sports Festivals and the National Para Games.

The statement also congratulated Dr. Igali on his emergence as Chairman of the Niger Delta Commissioners Forum. Mr. Akpe expressed confidence that Dr. Igali will deliver on his new assignment, noting that the region will witness significant development in the sports sector under his leadership.

Furthermore, the DG appreciated the management and board of the NDDC led by the Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie and the Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and Sir Itiako (Malik) Ikpokpo, CEO of Dunamis Icon, the Project Consultants, for initiating the Niger Delta Sports Festival. He praised their foresight in promoting sports development in the region.

The Prosperity Cup is Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football tournament, aimed at discovering and nurturing young football talents in Bayelsa State and beyond.