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FG commissions 2 aircrafts for mineral deposits survey

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Minister of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD), Mr Olamilekan Adegbite
Minister of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD), Mr Olamilekan Adegbite
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The Minister of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD), Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, has commissioned two aircrafts for Airborne Geophysical Survey to identify mineral deposits in Nigeria.

Adegbite, who inaugurated the aircrafts at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja on Thursday, said the survey became imperative as it would help determine the quantum of minerals available in the country.

He said that the survey would determine accurate mineral locations using modern day contemporary aeromagnetic mechanism.

While inspecting the aircrafts, he said they would be flying at low altitude, 50 meter above the ground level, such is about the height of a 15 storey buildings.

” We have received two special aircraft for now, hopefully two more will be delivered for the survey.

” The aircrafts have special equipment that monitor certain perimeter of the ground and record information and will be transmitted on the computer for interpretation on mineral data available that can be utilised,” he said.

Adegbite said that the survey would commence very soon, as the aircrafts could only operate and get accurate information on dry land or season.

“The consultant of the project will only work as the weather dictates, they will not like to work when rain is still falling.”

The minister said that the survey would be financed through the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification (MinDiver) Project, a World Bank assisted Project under the Ministry.

He said that the ministry has visited all affected states including FCT to sensitise people on the project through jingles on radios among others.

Adegbite said the sensitization was to allay people’s fear especially as the aircrafts would be flying at low altitude.

He said that the ministry had got approvals from State Governors, National Security Adviser and the Nigeria Air force for the aircrafts operations.

Dr John Eyre, International Technical Adviser of MinDiver, said that the two small yellowish aircrafts with sensors would be managed by a pilot each.

Eyre said the aircrafts have electronic sensors that could get data of minerals on the surface of the ground.

He added that Spain, South Africa and some West Africa countries have conducted such survey.

NAN reports that the survey would be conducted in 19 states including FCT across 121 local government areas.

The states are, Kwara, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Ebonyi, Enugu, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Niger, Kogi, Taraba, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Bauchi and the FCT.

The survey areas were chosen based on the outcome of the previous surveys guided by geological consideration.

The survey would be measuring minor variations in the earth’s magnetic fields and gamma radiations in the soil.

It would be a passive technique that does not involve sending out any signals or sound waves into the ground and therefore remains a very safe aerial survey. (NAN)

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Business & Economy

Petrol Prices Rise to N1,040/Litre in Lagos, N1,080 in Abuja

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The pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, has increased to as high as N1,040 per litre in Lagos and N1,080 per litre in Abuja, following a recent adjustment by fuel marketers.

The development comes a day after the Dangote Refinery raised its ex-gantry price of petrol to N995 per litre.

Checks on Saturday showed that several retail outlets across Lagos and Abuja had adjusted their prices upward.

At retail outlets operated by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in Ilasa, Apple Junction, and Ago Palace Way in Lagos, petrol was sold at N1,040 per litre, representing an increase of N47 from the previous price of N993 per litre.

Similarly, Emadeb Energy and PM Petroleum filling stations located along the Oshodi/Apapa Expressway were dispensing petrol at N1,040 per litre.

At a Techno Oil Limited retail outlet in Festac Town, the product was priced at N1,050 per litre, while stations operated by MRS Oil Nigeria Plc sold petrol at N1,057 per litre.

In Abuja, petrol was sold at N1,050 per litre at Gegu Oil Nigeria along the Kubwa Expressway, while Empire Energy filling stations dispensed the product at N1,080 per litre.

However, an outlet operated by Ardova Plc sold petrol at N959 per litre.

The latest increase comes amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have contributed to volatility in global crude oil prices.

On Friday, crude oil prices surged to $91 per barrel as the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran continued to escalate across the region.

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FG Bans Roadside Tax Collections, Orders Dismantling of Checkpoints

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The Federal Government has banned the collection of road taxes through roadside checkpoints and the use of tax stickers nationwide as part of sweeping tax reforms introduced in 2026.

The Joint Revenue Board (JRB) announced that all forms of roadside levies are now illegal, effectively ending a long-standing practice that required motorists to stop at checkpoints to make payments.

In a statement, the Board said the move is aimed at modernising tax administration, eliminating harassment of motorists, and improving transparency in revenue collection.

“This is a major win for motorists and a step toward transparent taxation,” the JRB stated, adding that security agencies have been directed to dismantle illegal checkpoints and ensure full compliance with the new law.

For years, motorists across the country were subjected to multiple levies under different designations, a situation that often created confusion and opened the door to alleged abuse and irregular collections.

Under the new framework, road tax stickers previously issued at state checkpoints are no longer valid, and motorists are not expected to make any payments related to road taxes on highways.

The government said the reform is designed to protect drivers from illegal collections, streamline tax administration under a centralised system, and promote voluntary compliance through a clearer and more accountable structure.

Security and enforcement agencies have been tasked with monitoring implementation to ensure that all roadside collections cease immediately.

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Ogun to Establish 5,000-Herd Dairy, Cattle Ranches in Ipokia, Yewa South — Abiodun

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Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced plans to establish what he described as the largest dairy and cattle ranches in Nigeria in Ipokia and Yewa South Local Government Areas of the state, with an initial capacity of 5,000 herds of cattle.

Abiodun made the disclosure on Thursday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) strategic stakeholders’ meeting held in Abeokuta.

He said the projects would be sited in Ogun State at the instance of President Bola Tinubu, adding that construction work would commence soon.

According to the governor, the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen food security, boost local agricultural production, and deepen value chains across the state.

“The biggest dairy and cattle ranches will soon be established in Yewa South and Ipokia Local Government Areas. This is at the instance of Mr. President. These farms will start with 5,000 herds of cattle, and work will begin very soon,” Abiodun said.

The governor commended Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms, noting that the policies had stabilised the foreign exchange market, eliminated multiple exchange-rate regimes, and increased Nigeria’s foreign reserves to about $45 billion.

Abiodun also acknowledged what he called the President’s goodwill towards Ogun State, citing federal interventions such as the reconstruction of the Sagamu–Ijebu Ode Road, funding support for the Eba oil discovery, and the resuscitation of the OKLNG project.

“There is nothing I have asked Mr. President for Ogun State that he has not approved,” he said, adding that the President consistently directs investors to the state when they express interest in Nigeria.

The governor said the administration’s performance at the federal level had rekindled hope among Nigerians and strengthened public confidence in the ruling APC.

Highlighting achievements of his administration over the past six years and eight months, Abiodun said the state had recorded progress in education, infrastructure, job creation, youth and women empowerment, healthcare, agriculture, housing, technological innovation, industrial growth, and economic expansion.

He disclosed that over 1,700 kilometres of roads, including major highways, had been constructed across the state, more than 7,000 housing units delivered, and over 400 Primary Healthcare Centres upgraded and equipped.

Abiodun also stated that Ogun State was on the verge of becoming an oil-producing state.

He said the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to review progress and strategise ahead of emerging political challenges, urging party members to remain united as the state approaches another electioneering season.

“As we approach the upcoming congresses, they must unite us, not divide us. A united APC is an unbeatable APC,” he said.

Dignitaries at the meeting included former Governor Olusegun Osoba; Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide; Senators Solomon Adeola and Shuaib Salisu; and House of Representatives Chief Whip, Ibrahim Isiaka.

Also present were Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isiaka Salako; State APC Chairman, Yemi Sanusi; former deputy governors; lawmakers; local government chairmen; and other party stakeholders.

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