News
530 CNG Buses For Deployment In Lagos, Oyo, Kwara, FCT, Others
The process for nationwide deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles has commenced. Not less than 530 buses are to be deployed by the end of the month in six pioneering states.
These are Oyo, Lagos, Kwara, Kogi, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Programme Director of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) Michael Oluwagbemi stated this yesterday.
It was during the event signaling the commencement of 15-day-long activities ahead of the rollout.
He said the distribution is on a demand-led basis. He added that efforts would be accelerated at the conversion of diesel and petrol-fuel engines across the country.
According to Oluwagbemi, President Tinubu has directed the PCNGI to ensure the conversion of at least 10 per cent of the total number of vehicles in the country in the first year of the rollout of the initiative.
The programme began yesterday in the Southwest with the Presidential (virtual) commissioning of the critical gas supply projects.
Today, the team will inspect the Jets and Mikano Factory along with representatives of the Ministry of Labour and workers unions.
Southsouth and Southeast stakeholders engagement will be held tomorrow in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Affiliate conversion and refuelling at the Femadec Site as well as an inspection tour of the Total Energies support station are planned.
Another six-day inspection tour of the Kojo Factory at the Enugu-Onitsha Site will begin on May 24 to receive the first set of assembled tricycles, buses, cylinders and kits ahead of the official launch.
The Luojia Assembly Plant for CNG tricycles on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will be inaugurated on May 30.
“These programmes are a fulfilment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to drive Nigeria’s energy transition in the transportation sector leveraging CNG and enabling economic growth,” Oluwagbemi stated.
He noted the President’s political will to ensure the full utilisation of natural gas which hitherto was being flared.
Oluwagbemi, who said gas is present in commercial quantity in 30 of the 36 states of the federation, added that though CNG penetration (via filling stations) until last year had been less than 20, this has grown to 50 this month.
He said about 100 are ready to be deployed by June while applications for another 150 are awaiting approvals.
Addressing transport sector stakeholders from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states, Oluwagbemi said to encourage CNG penetration, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulation Authority (NMDPRA) has directed all filling stations in Nigeria to install gas pump points in their stations.
“Going forward, it would be illegal to operate a filling station in Nigeria without a gas filling point within your premises and this will further boost accessibility to the commodity by end users,” Oluwagbemi said.
He clarified that the commodity is different from Liquefied gas (domestic gas) which is a byproduct of petroleum products.
He clarified that because CNG is a natural gas, it is lighter than the air, and the rate of its dissipating into the atmosphere is so fast that it will not combust.
Oluwagbemi commended NIPCO Gas Ltd and Bovas Gas Ltd, the programme’s leading partners for the various initiatives aimed at CNG penetration in the country.
He said the programme would also be developing the capacity of local technicians and engineers in the entire CNG value chain.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha urged Nigerians to back the initiative.
Addressing stakeholders at the Event Centre in Ikeja, she said the ministry was mobilising all workers to key into the programme and embrace the transition from fossil fuel-dependent vehicles to CNG.
She said: “Though several administrations paid lip service to the transition from fossil to CNG, President Bola Tinubu has shown unwavering commitment to the paradigm shift in energy transition from an unpredictable energy to a more sustainable and inclusive energy.
“The President’s dream is working already and it will come to fruition and the Ministry of Labour and Employment is committed to ensuring that the policy creates jobs for Nigerians.”
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, expressed happiness that Nigeria is on the verge of an energy transition that is akin to a revolution in the energy mix.
He said the CNG is not only in abundance in Nigeria, it is cleaner than fossil fuel and more economically friendly and capable of bringing down inflation occasioned by the cost of food.
Oyo State Commissioner for Works, Prof. Daud Sangodoyin, said the state only recently deployed CNG buses as part of the pilot phase which would soon go around all parts of the state.
Executive Director of Centre for Mobility and Access Development, Dr Kayode Opeifa, said the CNG would be a catalyst for the economy and break the monopoly enjoyed by fossil fuel.
News
Boko Haram Demands $300,000 Ransom For Abducted Borno Ex-LG Chair, Another Victim
A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.
One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.
Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.
In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”
He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.
“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.
He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.
The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.
News
How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
News
Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
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