The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council has commended Dangote Refinery for its consistency in the price reduction of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol.

Reacting to the latest reduction in the ex-gantry loading cost of PMS from ₦880 per litre to ₦865, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Council, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, said Dangote Refinery had projected itself as a huge partner in progress to all Nigerians.

The gesture, the Council Chairman said had endeared the business mogul to Nigeria as a saviour of the masses in the face of the present hardship

Recalled that Dangote Refinery had announced a reduction of its ex-depot price per liter by N15 ostensibly following reduction in the price of crude oil in the international market

“I want to emphatically say that the Dangote Refinery is indeed a blessing to all Nigerians. The roll out of petroleum products from Dangote Refinery has indeed changed the game and the fuel market is now liberalized.

Urging other industrialists to take a cue from Dangote’s good heart of empathy with Nigerians in the face of present economic hardship, the NUJ boss added; “In the last few months, we are all aware that Dangote Refinery has crashed the price of PMS at different interval and we are very optimistic that such gesture will be extended to other sectors by other industrialists.

“We need more Dangotes in this country so that Nigeria can be great again. Imagine if we have three or four Dangote in other sectors of Nigeria’s economy, Nigeria’s economic progress would have been fastracked.” Ajayi said.

Ajayi also lauded the move by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) which gave an express approval for the full implementation of the suspended Naira-for-Crude agreement with local refiners on Wednesday.

The chairman stated that the move would boost the confidence of the citizenry, as the output was expected to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France), the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), and Spaces for Change (S4C), under the European Union-funded eRIGHTS Project, condemn the proposed amendment to the Nigerian Data Protection Act, 2023, which seeks to mandate the establishment of physical offices by social media platforms and compel bloggers to register with recognized national associations and maintain local offices within Nigeria.

The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigerian Data Protection Act, 2023, to Mandate the Establishment of Physical Offices within the Territorial Boundaries of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by Social Media Platforms and for Related Matters,” has passed both first and second readings at the Senate, raising serious concerns among civil society organizations, media actors, human rights defenders and social media users in Nigeria.

While the regulation of data protection is important in safeguarding the privacy of citizens, this proposed amendment extends far beyond data protection. By attempting to regulate bloggers and compel them to join recognized associations and establish physical offices, the bill threatens the constitutional rights of Nigerians, including the right to freedom of expression, privacy, and association, as guaranteed by Sections 37, 38, and 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, as well as international human rights instruments and conventions to which Nigeria is a party to.

This proposed legislation risks shrinking the civic and digital space in Nigeria. Independent bloggers, citizen journalists, and digital creators play a critical role in holding those in power to account, amplifying marginalized voices, and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic discourse. Imposing bureaucratic and financial burdens on these actors will not only undermine digital innovation but also stifle dissent and limit the diversity of online narratives.

We, the eRIGHTS project partners, therefore:

1. Call on the National Assembly to immediately halt the legislative process on this bill and subject it to broader public consultation, especially with civil society actors, media actors, digital rights advocates, and tech stakeholders.
2. Urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to assent to any version of the bill that infringes on the rights to freedom of expression, privacy, and association.
3. Request the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to clarify its stance on this bill and uphold its responsibility to protect digital rights and data governance frameworks in a way that aligns with democratic values and international best practices.

The eRIGHTS project remains committed to promoting and protecting the digital rights of Nigerians, and to ensuring that the internet remains a safe and inclusive space for free expression, innovation and civic participation.

The Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State oversight, has invited the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) to appear before it on Thursday for an interactive session.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Spokesman of the House, Akin Rotimi (Jnr), on Wednesday.

Daily Trust reports that the 21-member committee chaired by the House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, was inaugurated by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen on Tuesday.

The committee was constituted by the House of Representatives following the resolution of the National Assembly approving the Presidential Proclamation of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

Rotimi in the statement said the invitation was issued by the committee at its Wednesday’s inaugural meeting, following the formal inauguration of the Committee by Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

He said the meeting provided a platform for members to deliberate on preliminary reports and developments emerging from Rivers State since the Sole Administrator assumed office.

Rotimi said, “Pursuant to its constitutional mandate to exercise full legislative oversight in accordance with Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Committee resolved, among other matters, to invite Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, to appear before it for a comprehensive interactive session.

According to the Chairman of the Committee and House Leader, Hon. (Prof.) Julius Ihonvbere, OON: “This engagement is necessary to ascertain the true state of affairs in Rivers State and ensure that the House remains properly guided in the discharge of its oversight responsibilities in the public interest.”

The Sole Administrator is expected to appear before the Committee on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 4:00 PM, in Room 414, House of Representatives New Building, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

“A formal letter of invitation has been sent and acknowledged accordingly. This public announcement serves to reinforce transparency in the Committee’s proceedings.

The Committee reiterates its commitment to fulfilling its duties with diligence, transparency, and strict adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”