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Indigenous Oil coy impacts 80,194 persons in eye can see initiative

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No fewer than 80,194 persons across Edo and Delta has so far been impacted in the free eye care medical services provided by Seplat Energy PLC, operators of the NPDC/SEPLAT joint venture.

Dr Chioma Nwachukwu, Director External Affairs and Sustainability, Seplat disclosed this in her remarks in Benin, on Tuesday.

She was speaking at the nineth edition of the annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) programme of the company tagged “Eye Can See Initiative” at the palace of the Oba of Benin.

Nwachukwu explained that the figure was from the commencement of the programme nine years ago.

According to her, Seplat has, through the programme, impacted 80,194 persons; dispensed 35,755 reading glasses, and performed 3,456 cataract and related surgeries.

She noted that ensuring sustainability of the communities where Seplat operates remains top in the agenda of the company particularly the health and well-being of their people.

“We are committed to partnering with our host communities with the view to touching lives. The Eye Can See programme has been on since 2012, and every year, the company brings a dedicated team of medics to ensure it makes the right and needed impacts.

“Our focus on the good health and well being of our people is unwavering, and this is in line with Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) 3 to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing of all at all ages”.

She revealed that the programme which witnessed large turn out of people from within and outside of Benin commenced last Thursday.

She added that those who showed up would have their eyes checked, obtain prescription glasses or get operated upon to remove visual impairing cataracts.

“The programme will be deployed in different centres across Delta and Edo states.

“Thousand of Nigerians will be screened for eye ailments, surgeries performed, and eye glasses dispensed”, Nwachukwu said.

Welcoming the company and dignitaries to the palace, Chief John Oviesoge, the Eribo of Benin Kingdom, representing the Oba of Benin, Eware II.

He lauded Seplat for supporting and enhancing the physical and mental wellbeing of members of its host communities and pledged his kingdom’s support to the Company and its activities.

He also commended the Company’s resolve to continue to invest in its areas of operation, saying the move had helped to boost the fortunes of the areas.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Eye Can See programme was in addition to other yearly social programmes deployed by Seplat in her areas of operation.

Some beneficiaries of the programme received free eye screening and treatment with and had their sights restored following surgery.

They commended Seplat for bringing hope to their lives and giving them the opportunity to maximise their potential.

The programme, which offers free premium optical care is open to anyone that comes to any designated venue whenever it is being deployed. (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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