Due to fuel shortages, long queues have resurfaced at petrol stations in Nigeria’s capital city.

Daily Trust had reported how the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) is struggling with a staggering $6 billion petrol payment backlog.

The development is coming few months after Nigerians have experienced fuel crisis when a litre hit more than N800 and above N1,000 at black markets.

Since the removal of fuel subsidy, Nigerians have been faced with high cost of living with high transportation cost and sharp increase in prices of goods and services.

See photos below:

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II has revealed that the challenges confronting Nigeria at this critical time is surmountable.

According to him, with the right commitment, attitude, and leadership, the country has a better chance of overcoming its challenges.

Sanusi, made the assertion when he received on a courtesy visit, the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, in the company of his counterpart, Commissioner of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mohammed Tajuddeen Othman, at the Emir’s palace,

The monarch said the challenges faced by the country were inherited, stressing that the solution is not to go into lamentation over what happened in the past and do nothing about it.

He said, “I’m confident that the people of Kano, with our history, our resilience, and attitude can overcome the challenges and become things of the past.”

Sanusi said, “If we just keep looking at the problems (poverty, hunger, malnutrition, out-of-school children, illiteracy) and we think there is nothing we can do, but the reality is, with the right attitude, commitment, leadership, and support of all, these are not insurmountable problems.

”Nations have gone through worse, and they have come out of it. Even in this country, look at parts of the country ravaged by terrorism, which Allah has guided us to, and we hope Allah spares this and also spares those parts of the country and releases them.”

The monarch hailed the Kano State government for the bold steps taken in education, especially girl child education, saying it is a solution to the nation’s myriad problems.

He called on the private sector and philanthropists to complement the government’s efforts in the areas of building schools, school feeding, and investment in transportation in order to address the present challenges facing Nigerians.

Afam Victor Ogene, the Leader of the Labour Party Caucus of the House of Representatives, has said the victory of opposition Labour Party in the United Kingdom, UK, is a sign that its Nigerian version would triumph in the 2027 general elections.

In a statement made available to journalists in Awka, Friday, Ogene said the election told vivid tales of hope for the opposition, and competence and integrity of the electoral umpires in the UK, in a manner that elicits public confidence and trust in the electoral process.

“Unlike what was witnessed in Nigeria in the last general elections, the process in UK was free of glitches, as about 40 million voters took part. Polls closed around 10 pm Thursday and by daybreak, the results were out.

“There was no judicial ambush, as immediate transition took place to the admiration of all lovers of democracy and free and fair elections.

“If we must practice democracy, we must also love, copy and abide by the transparency and accountability of democratic institutions in nations of the world that allow the rule of law and democratic principles to thrive.

“In deed, one of the potent lessons of the British elections is the fact that, the concept of ‘snatch it, grab it, and run away with it,’ has no place in modern democratic practice,” he said.

Relating the development in the UK to the 2027 election in Nigeria, Ogene said: “I urge the Nigerian Labour Party to draw inspiration from its British counterparts, close ranks, rally the people, and prepare to take the reins of power in 2027.

“Let us work together to build a better future for our nation, guided by the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability.”

Ogene congratulated Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party in Britain, for his party’s victory over the outgoing UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak and his Conservative Party, in what has been described as the most emphatic election victory by any British political party this century.

The opposition Labour Party won a huge parliamentary majority in the UK general election, unseating the incumbent Conservatives after 14 years.

While the Labour Party got 412 seats, the incumbent Conservatives got just 121.

A video has captured the heartwarming moment residents residing in the Mushin area of Lagos State came out in their numbers to applaud men of the state police command for thwarting an abduction attempt in the area.

According to an X user, suspected kidnappers had stormed the area to abduct a businessman on Oloje Street, Papa Ajao.

The kidnappers exchanged gunfire with the police, who reportedly eliminated 6 out of the 7 kidnappers.

Watch the video of residents of the area applauding the gallant police officers below;

William Ruto, the President of Kenya, has announced the country’s National Treasury will cut spending to make room for key commitments after anti-government protests.

In a live address from the state house, Ruto said the government will present a proposal to the national assembly to approve massive expenditure cuts after the withdrawal of the 2024 finance bill.

“Over the last few days, our treasury team has been assessing the adverse impact of either reducing the budget by the entire Sh346 billion or borrowing the full amount,” he stated on Friday.

“We have since struck a middle ground and will be proposing to the National Assembly a budget cut of Sh177 billion and borrow the difference. The additional borrowing will increase our fiscal deficit from 3.3 per cent to 4.6 per cent and will be used to protect the funding of critical government services,” President Ruto stated.

President Ruto listed several critical government initiatives that will receive continued funding, including the hiring of medical interns, support for dairy farmers, road infrastructure projects, fertilizer subsidies, and settlements of debts owed to farmers in various sectors.

In addition to the financial adjustments, President Ruto also removed budgets for the offices of the first lady, and the second lady.

Dissolution of 47 State Corporations to eliminate overlapping functions and reduce operational costs.

Suspension of filling Chief Administrative Secretaries positions.

50 per cent reduction in government advisors within the public service.

Removal of budget lines for offices of First Lady, spouses of Deputy President, and Prime Cabinet Secretary.
 
Suspension of non-essential travel and participation in public contributions by state and public officers.

“These measures are part of our commitment to enhance efficiency and transparency in serving the people of Kenya,” President Ruto affirmed.

“We are determined to improve the quality of services and ensure maximum value for the resources entrusted to us.”