The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Embassy in Abuja has hosted a grand farewell ceremony for 20 Nigerian pilgrims selected for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Programme for Umrah 2025.

This is part of its dedication to promoting Islamic unity and facilitating access to Islam’s most sacred sites for Muslims around the world.

The ceremony, led by His Excellency Faisal bin Ibrahim Al-Ghamdi, Saudi ambassador to Nigeria, highlighted the kingdom’s unwavering commitment to supporting Muslims and fostering spiritual connections through pilgrimage.

The programme, initiated by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, provides Muslims from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to perform Umrah with full sponsorship, symbolising Saudi Arabia’s role as the spiritual heart of the Islamic world.

In his keynote address, Ambassador Al-Ghamdi expressed profound gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their steadfast dedication to Islam’s holy sites. He praised their exceptional leadership in enhancing the services provided to pilgrims and ensuring their journey to the sacred sites is spiritually fulfilling and logistically seamless.

“The custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the crown prince have prioritised the well-being of pilgrims, viewing it as a sacred duty and an immense honour. Through this programme and other initiatives, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen bonds of brotherhood among Muslims while ensuring their comfort and safety during their spiritual journey,” he said.

Ambassador Al-Ghamdi revealed that the kingdom had invested over $100 billion in the recent expansion and modernisation of the Two Holy Mosques. According to him, these ambitious projects, encompassing state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced crowd management systems, and cutting-edge technology, reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to accommodating the increasing number of pilgrims visiting Mecca and Medina each year.

He added that the kingdom spares no effort in mobilising resources to improve the pilgrimage experience for all Muslims.

He also emphasised the importance of adhering to the Kingdom’s laws and regulations, designed to maintain order and ensure the safety and comfort of all pilgrims.

“The leadership of Saudi Arabia remains fully committed to serving the guests of God. This is a responsibility we hold dear, and we continuously strive to enhance the spiritual and logistical aspects of the pilgrimage experience,” he said.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Programme has become a symbol of the kingdom’s efforts to unite Muslims worldwide and facilitate access to the holiest sites in Islam. Each year, the initiative provides thousands of pilgrims the opportunity to perform Umrah, covering all costs, including travel, accommodation, and other logistics.

The guests sincerely thanked and appreciated King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. May God protect him for the generous hospitality of the kingdom‘s leadership in serving Islam, Muslims, the House of God, and the Holy Land.

The University of Abuja Teaching Hospital has revealed that N112 million will be spent on the treatment of 16 victims of the recent fuel tanker explosion in Niger State within one week.

The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Bissallah Ahmed Ekele, confirmed the hospital’s involvement following directives from the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate.

The CMD, who spoke when our correspondent visited the hospital on Tuesday, said that the hospital, alongside other tertiary institutions, dispatched ambulances to assist in managing the emergency.

He said, “It is true that we have some of the victims. On Sunday, at about 3 p.m., the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, gave directives to the public tertiary hospitals in Abuja. Ours is one of them, to take ambulances to the general hospital in Niger State, where the victims were, to assist in their management. And some of our ambulances were taken there, and as we speak, 16 of them are currently with us. Three of them are critically sick.”

The explosion, which occurred at Dikko Junction, Nigeria State, resulted in severe burns for many victims. “We have 16 victims, three of whom are critically ill with burns exceeding 80 per cent,” Ekele stated.

The hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee Chairman, Dr. Bob Okonu, highlighted the intensive care provided. “We have not slept since Sunday, working around the clock to save these lives,” he said.

He said that the initial resuscitative efforts involved extensive use of medical supplies, including over 20 cartons of normal saline and various antibiotics to combat potential infections.

According to Dr. Okonu, the financial burden is substantial, with each patient’s care costing between six to seven million naira in the first week alone. Okon added that managing burns of this magnitude is capital-intensive, requiring specialised nutrition, fluid replacement, and infection control measures.

“From Sunday night to Monday morning, if you quantify the amount of money spent to ensure that the resuscitative phase took place, it was over two million already.

“So because the body system, the skin is quite critical, if not properly taken care of, it also will affect other internal organs. Of them, I don’t think anyone will spend anything less than six to seven million keeping them within the first seven days. Yes, because of the active engagement, the active phase of resuscitation that will happen,” he explained.

Speaking further, Dr Okonu said that the hospital’s mental health unit was preparing to offer psychological support as part of a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation. “We have seasoned clinical psychologists ready to intervene when needed,” Dr. Okon emphasised.

Narrating his harrowing experience, one of the victims, Yunusu Yusuf, shed light on the events leading up to the disaster that claimed numerous lives and left many injured.

He recounted his ordeal at the market on the fateful Saturday. “I was at the market when a tanker fell, and fuel started spilling out. People began scooping the fuel, and another tanker was brought in to offload. Someone nearby was smoking a cigarette, and that’s when the fire started,” he said.

Yusuf described the chaos, saying, “I quickly removed my trousers and jumped over the fence as the fire followed me.” Despite his injuries, he expressed gratitude for the medical care he is receiving. “The doctors and nurses are looking after me very well,” he added.

Another affected family is Mr Hamza, whose two children, Alhassan and Isah, were caught in the blaze. “The fire started near my shop. My children were repairing a machine while the fuel was offloaded into another tanker. When the fire broke out, they tried to run but fell into the fuel,” Hamza explained.

He said he rushed to the scene upon hearing the news. “They are now being well cared for at the hospital, with proper feeding and medical attention,” he said. Hamza also mentioned that the Nigerian state governor provided N50,000 to support the victims’ families in feeding at the hospital.

The explosion, triggered by locals siphoning fuel from a crashed 60,000-liter tanker, resulted in 98 fatalities and 69 injuries, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). A mass burial has been conducted for those who perished at the scene.

Over 200 repentant Niger Delta militants have staged a peaceful protest, accusing the federal government of flouting the amnesty deal it signed with the ex-agitators, which compelled them to drop their arms to embrace peace in 2009.

Under the aegis of Ukanafun Freedom Fighters (UFF), led by the coordinator, Udom Ebetor, the protesters, who were armed with placards of varying inscriptions, laid siege to the Ukanafun local government area headquarters at Ikot Akpankuk, Akwa Ibom State, demanding urgent federal government intervention to address the core issues of welfare, jobs, and empowerment, as enshrined in the amnesty document.

“The federal government has failed to keep its word in training and empowering the ex-militants to become economically self-reliant”, one of the placards read.

They also alleged that “The ex-militants from Akwa Ibom axis were seen as strangers by other militants from a certain tribe and discriminated against by some officials in the amnesty office.”

Ebetor, who, in 2009, led other militants under the umbrella of the Supreme Council of Niger Delta (SUCOND) to surrender arms, recalled that he had mentioned in July 2009 that “no fewer than 500 members of the group were still in bushes owing to their scepticism of the federal government’s sincerity towards the amnesty programme.”

It was gathered that many of those protesting at the Ukanafun council headquarters initially refused to lay down their arms because they feared the federal government would not keep to its terms of negotiating the ceasefire deal.

Lamenting the plight faced by the ex-militants from Akwa Ibom, Ebetor lamented that “while others are benefitting, some of our leaders at the local and state levels are busy talking while their people are suffering.”

Denying that he was neither a cultist nor ever involved in criminal activities, Ebetor, who said he had gone for training in Vietnam under the Amnesty Programme, advised the protesters on the gains of peaceful protest and non-involvement in criminal activities, including indulgence in drug abuse.

He explained that “the protest is a result of the people being pushed to the wall and that it serves as a call to the federal government to do the needful before the issue escalates.”

Addressing the protesters on behalf of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Paul Mel Udoh, the Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officer (COMO) for Ukanafun LGA, promised to transmit their demands to Abuja,  assuring that “The federal government will respond in a way to assuage your grievances.”

Popular Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky, has reacted to United States President Donald Trump’s recent order recognizing only two genders—male and female.

The policy, part of a series of executive orders signed by Trump on his first day back in office, seeks to establish the recognition of only two genders across all U.S. government policies.

The president confirmed this decision during his inaugural address, stating: “As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”

In response to the announcement, Bobrisky dismissed concerns about the policy, expressing confidence in her identity as a woman.

Bobrisky wrote on Instagram: “I don’t have business with Trump. Trump said we have only two genders, right? And I said I am now a woman that has undergo everything. If they ask for evidence, I will show them, simple.”

Controversial Nigerian rapper Darlington Achakpo, famously known as Speed Darlington, has finally walked free after enduring two grueling months in police custody—a detention marked by allegations of abuse of power and disregard for judicial orders.

His lawyer, Stan Alieke, announced the long-awaited release on Instagram, expressing gratitude to all who stood by the embattled artist.

However, Alieke did not mince words as he vowed to hold the police and other complicit individuals accountable for what he described as a brazen violation of his client’s rights. He called Speed Darlington’s prolonged incarceration not only unlawful but a chilling example of systemic injustice.

He wrote;

“Delighted to announce that our client, Mr Darlington Achakpo Aka Speed Darlington (Akpi) has regained his freedom after two months of illegal incarceration.

“For the record, as his team of lawyers, we will be exploring every angle of the law to ensure that he gets justice for his fundamental human right which was deprived of him by the Nigerian Police Force and for the unfair/ unjust treatment he was subjected to.

“Mr Achakpo extends his gratitude to everyone who threw in their support and Special thanks to my colleagues, Mr Marshal Abubakar Esq, Barr Deji Adeyanju, Barr Hamza Nuh, Barr David. ~ Freedom cometh by struggle”

The rapper’s troubles began when he accused Grammy Award-winning singer Burna Boy of engaging in an immoral relationship with embattled U.S. rapper and music mogul Sean Combs, also known as P. Diddy.

These explosive claims led to his arrest and subsequent release on bail. But in late 2024, Speed Darlington was rearrested for allegedly violating his bail conditions, a move his legal team contends was part of a larger plot to silence him.

Despite a December 23, 2024, order from Justice M.S. Liman directing the police to either charge him within 48 hours or release him unconditionally, law enforcement defied the directive, holding him without perceived justification

Nigerian billionaire businessman and socialite Obi Cubana has made headlines after hosting a lavish house party that had social media buzzing.

The event, which took place at his luxurious Abuja mansion, was shared with the public through a viral video posted by content creator, Outside With Charlie, who attended the event.

The mansion, which boasts a massive swimming pool, became a focal point for the event’s glamour

Guests were treated to an array of delicious dishes, with professional butchers and grillers on hand to prepare fresh roasted beef, ensuring no shortage of food at the extravagant gathering.

But the indulgence didn’t stop there. A competition at the party saw some lucky guests walking away with mouth watering prizes, including bone straight hair, high-heeled shoes, and a cash prize of $1000 (approximately N1.5 million).

As videos and photos from the party circulated on social media, many fans gushed over the lavish display, commenting on the luxurious nature of the gathering and the generous gifts awarded to the guests.

Niger State residents have not learnt from the recent tragic tanker explosion as hundreds gathered to scoop oil from another fallen truck.

Reports obtained by Naija News on Tuesday revealed that another tanker fell on Monday in Bida.

The latest incident comes just two days following a tragic tanker explosion in the state that resulted in the deaths of over 90 individuals and left many others injured.

A widely shared video on social media depicted young individuals congregating around the disabled truck.

While some attempted to collect the contents, others hurriedly dispersed in various directions, seemingly to avoid becoming involved in another hazardous situation.

According to Premium Times, a local resident named Yinusa Jiya remarked, “The people were not even afraid despite earlier assumption that it was petrol.”

Another eyewitness, Fatimah Mohammed, who spoke to journalists on the latest event noted that the tanker was transporting groundnut oil.

“It fell around AYM Shafa filling station yesterday (Monday) and residents stole huge amounts of the groundnut oil dripping from the tanker,” she added.

The development came two days after the deadly tanker explosion that killed about 98 people around Dikko Junction, Gurara LGA, Niger State.

It is worth noting that there has been an increasing death toll from the recent explosion, as some individuals who were injured have succumbed to their wounds in medical facilities.

In response to this tragic event, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to enhance its campaign against the dangerous practice of scooping fuel during such incidents.

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed concern regarding the rising casualty figures and the severity of burn injuries.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) reported that 86 bodies were interred in a mass burial on Sunday.

Numerous other victims are currently receiving treatment for first-degree burns in various hospitals.

Authorities have attributed the significant loss of life and injuries to the actions of individuals attempting to scoop fuel, which ignited the fire.

Niger State has experienced multiple incidents in the past that have resulted in considerable fatalities.

On September 8, 2024, more than 50 travellers lost their lives in a midnight tanker explosion along the Agaie-Badeggi road.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given President Bola Tinubu 48 hours to reverse the recent 50% telcos tariff hike.

SERAP, in a statement, said failure to do so by the Tinubu administration means they will be charged in court.

“The Tinubu administration and telcos must immediately reverse the unlawful increase in calls and data costs. We’ll see in court if the 50% tariff hike is not reversed within 48 hours,” SERAP said.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday, January 20, approved the raising of telecoms tariff by 50 per cent in what shareholders believe was approved in a bid to improve telecom services.

The approved increase was disclosed in a statement signed by NCC Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka.

“The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.

“These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the commission’s standard practice for tariff reviews. It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.”

NCC noted that tariff rates have remained static since 2013, despite the increasing costs of operation faced by telecom operators, adding that the approved adjustment is aimed at addressing the significant gap between operational costs and current tariffs while ensuring that the delivery of services to consumers is not compromised.

“These adjustments will support the ability of operators to continue investing in infrastructure and innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers through improved services and connectivity, including better network quality, enhanced customer service, and greater coverage.”

Retail outlets owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited have raised the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, from N965 to N990 per litre in the Federal Capital Territory.

 They also increased their price in Lagos from N925 to N960 per litre.

This is even as the price of crude oil showed a marginal decline on Tuesday.

Checks by our correspondents at some of the filling stations indicated that the prices have been adjusted.

The amount is N20, or 2.1 per cent more than the N970 retail price announced by the Dangote refinery in partnership with MRS filling station, Ardova, and Heyden.

The price adjustment reflects ongoing market dynamics and aligns with the deregulation policy in the petroleum sector, which allows prices to fluctuate based on supply and demand.

This increase follows recent developments in the sector, including the commencement of loading operations at the Dangote refinery, expected to reshape the fuel supply chain in Nigeria.

Recall that on Friday, the pump prices of petrol rose to between N1,050 and N1,150 per litre following the hike in the cost of the commodity by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and various depot owners.

The $20bn plant raised its PMS from N899/litre to N955/litre at its loading gantry.

Dealers confirmed that PMS prices would continue to rise since the major component in fuel production, crude oil, has been on the upward swing lately.

At an NNPCL outlet at Airport Junction, our correspondents observed that the station sold at N990 per litre from N965 it sold on Monday.

Another station at Life Camp listed its products at N970 per litre but was not selling to waiting customers when our correspondent visited.

Another station at Mabuchi was still selling at its previous price of N965 per litre.

Meanwhile, major and independent marketers have increased petrol prices to a peak cost of N1,030 per litre.

Checks indicated that filling stations located along Airport Road, Central Area and Nyanya in Abuja increased their retail cost between N990 and N1,030 per litre.

The amount represents an increase of N60 or 6.18 per cent from N970 it sold its products last week Friday.

AYM Shafa and Matrix filling stations along the airport road sold at N1,000 per litre while Shema station sold at N1,030.

As petrol consumers adjust to the new pump price, experts predict further changes in petrol pricing as Nigeria continues to align its energy policies with global market realities.

A source at the private depot informed that loading activity commenced fully on Monday with bulk marketers loading products from the Dangote refinery.

The source said, “Refined petroleum sales commenced fully today with no issues at all. Marketers have increased their prices between N965 and N975 per litre at depots but at filling stations, a litre increased above N1,000 in Lagos. In Akwa Ibom, prices increased to N1,100.”

Reacting, an oil and gas expert, Olatide Jeremiah, said the refinery, Depot and Pump price changes are a reflection of market forces and a testament to the petroleum sector being deregulated.

He said, “The refinery, depot and pump price changes are a reflection of market forces and a testament to the petroleum sector being deregulated. Deregulation is one major solution to fuel scarcity and hike in pump prices.

“This hike is temporary; it’s an effect of former President Biden’s ban on Russian oil companies. As of this morning, Brent crude oil prices fall to $80 per barrel as Trump assumes the Presidency.”

Meanwhile, Brent crude oil futures dropped to $79.98 per barrel on Monday, from $81 last Friday.

Brent crude for March delivery was down 1.5 per cent to trade at $79.66 per barrel at 11.20 am ET while WTI crude for February delivery declined 1.8 per cent to $76.46 per barrel.

But following the inauguration yesterday, the Brent crude rose again marginally to $80.05.

The US under Joe Biden, the immediate past president, had intensified sanctions on Russia, imposing heavy fines on its vessels.

Our correspondents observed that most NNPC stations in Lagos and Ogun sold PMS at the rate of N925/litre until around noon when the price was jerked up.

It was noted that the NNPC at Alapere and others in Lagos started selling the product at N960 around 3 pm Tuesday.

A tricycle rider said there was a long queue of buyers at one of the NNPC stations in Ketu earlier on Tuesday morning when the station retained its price at N925. However, it was said that the queue disappeared with the announcement of the new price.

“Wr thought they wanted to bring down the price initially, but it is going up again,” the tricycle rider complained as he searched for passengers.

Aside from the NNPC, other filling stations sold PMS at different rates ranging between N960 and N1,000.

It was observed that MRS, Heyden and Ardova filling stations have started selling Dangote refinery’s PMS at N970/litre.

As of Tuesday, TotalEnergies sold the product at N985; Matrix, N980; SGR in Mowe, N999; Petrocam, N1,000; Danco; N970; As-Sallam; N990; Sedabuk, N950; and Gatelink, N980, all along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Our correspondent learnt that some of the filling stations are still selling the old stock they purchased at the rate of N899.

President Donald Trump has announced his intention to end birthright citizenship, which grants automatic US citizenship to anyone born on American soil.

On Monday, he signed an executive order called “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship” in the Oval Office after his inauguration.

The order applies to babies born after February 19. 

Experts say this decision will likely face legal challenges because it changes how the 14th Amendment has been understood for over 150 years.

What is birthright citizenship?

The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, passed in 1868, created birthright citizenship. It says that “all persons born” in the United States “are citizens of the United States.”

It was meant to give citizenship to freed slaves after the Civil War. This amendment also overturned the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision from 1857, which said African Americans could not be U.S. citizens.

In 1898, the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed the idea of birthright citizenship in the case of United States v. Wong Kim Ark. Wong Kim Ark was born in the U.S. to Chinese immigrant parents.

After traveling to China, he was not allowed to reenter the U.S. The Court decided that because he was born in the U.S., he was a citizen, no matter his parents’ immigration status.

Who Would Be Affected?

The policy seeks to exclude two groups of infants from citizenship:

• Babies born to mothers who are in the U.S. unlawfully and fathers who are not citizens or permanent residents.
• Babies born to mothers temporarily in the U.S., like on student, work, or tourist visas, and fathers who are neither citizens nor permanent residents.

The policy also defines parents as “male and female biological progenitors.” This means it excludes nonbinary and queer couples.

Impact on Families and Babies

If this order is enforced, many newborns would not be U.S. citizens. These babies might not get birth certificates, Social Security numbers, or passports. Without these, it would be harder for them to access services or travel. Families, especially those with undocumented or temporary immigration status, would face tough challenges. Mothers could be at risk of deportation shortly after giving birth.

Does This Follow the 14th Amendment?

Many legal experts think this order goes against the 14th Amendment. For over 150 years, this amendment has granted citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, no matter their parents’ immigration status.

Trump says people have wanted this change for a long time. He believes his administration has strong legal arguments to defend the policy. However, experts think the courts will likely block the order.

Along with this order, other policies were announced to reduce immigration and deport millions of undocumented people.

A 2016 Pew Research study said 250,000 babies were born to undocumented parents in the U.S. that year. By 2022, 1.2 million U.S. citizens were children of undocumented parents. The Migration Policy Institute predicts that ending birthright citizenship could create 4.7 million undocumented people by 2050.

In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump said that children of undocumented immigrants, even if born in the U.S., should be deported with their families.

“I don’t want to be breaking up families,” Trump said last December. “So the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back.”