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Youths riot in Plateau over alleged plot to install emir

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Plateau youth protest

Yelwa, a community in the Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State, was thrown into chaos on Friday over an alleged plot by the  Simon Lalong-led administration to create an emirate in the area.

Scores of youths rioting over the rumours vandalised the palace of the traditional ruler, Long Goemai of Shendam.

Many shops and buildings were also looted in the melee.

The development was a hot topic of discussion among citizens of the areas who took to community-focused Facebook pages, WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms to berate the government.

Plangkat Milaham, socio-political commentator, posted: “Lalong plans to do something controversial. He leaks the information to test people’s reaction, so he can decide whether to go ahead or not. (politics 101).

The reaction he gets is very negative. He sends his boys to blame the opposition party & tag it “PDP propaganda”.

Posting on Twitter with the handle @yitkyim, a legal practitioner said: “So I’m hearing Lalong messed up (but it’s as usual if you know what I mean) one will expect that commissioner of information and press secretary would be having a tough time trying to come with a defense right? But no! I’m sure it’s ICT WhatsApp group brainstorming now.”

The government has, however, debunked the report, calling it the machination and imagination of mischief makers.

In a statement made available to journalists by the Commissioner of Information and Communication, Dan Manjang, he urged citizens of the state to turn a deaf ear to the unfounded story.

“The Government wishes to put it on record that there has never been any time that such idea was contemplated or even discussed. To say the least, this is the imagination and machination of mischief makers aimed at throwing the State into the dark old days thereby drawing the hands of the clock backwards and making nonsense of the peace we have achieved since the coming of the rescue administration ably led by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG,” the statement read.

Plateau, a predominantly Christian state, has a sordid history of ethno-religious strife.

While relative normalcy has returned to Yelwa and environ, the government urged people to go about their normal business.

“Government hereby beckons on the general public particularly residents of Shendam Local Government to be circumspect and go about their normal duties by disregarding such dangerous rumours and providing timely information to security agencies to enable them act swiftly,” the statement added.

The recent tension in Yelwa comes as the government is still pushing back against public rage over the proposed public-private partnership with an Islamic bank to rebuild the Jos Main Market.

 

Source: News Gazette

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Akor Adams Says Super Eagles Focused On Improvement, Not Unbeaten Record Under Eric Chelle

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Super Eagles striker Akor Adams has revealed that the national team is not overly focused on its unbeaten record under coach Eric Chelle despite extending the streak after the 2-2 draw against Poland.

READ ALSO: Eric Ejiofor Urges Nigerians To Trust Eric Chelle After Super Eagles’ Impressive Run

Nigeria have now gone 24 matches without losing in normal time under the Franco-Malian tactician, but Adams insists the players are more concerned about improving performances and getting positive results.

“We are not too focused on the unbeaten record,” Adams said.

According to the Super Eagles forward, the team’s main objective remains continuous improvement and representing the country positively.

“Our focus is on performing better and getting results for Nigeria,” he implied.

Adams also praised Chelle for introducing a fresh tactical identity and philosophy to the national team since taking charge.

“The coach has brought a different dimension and philosophy to the team,” he noted.

The striker believes the tactical changes have contributed significantly to the team’s recent performances and growing confidence.

“You can see the improvements in the way we play,” he added.

Nigeria’s unbeaten run under Chelle has continued generating optimism among supporters as the team rebuilds following recent disappointments.

“The team appears more organized and competitive now,” many football observers believe.

The Super Eagles continue preparing for future competitive fixtures while integrating new players into the squad.

“There is growing belief around the direction of the team,” supporters continue to say.

For Akor Adams, the message is clear.

Records are not the priority.

Improvement and results matter more.

And Eric Chelle’s philosophy is helping shape a stronger Super Eagles side.

 

Because lasting success in football comes from growth, consistency, and collective ambition.

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Dangote refinery raises processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals says it has increased its crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), surpassing its installed nameplate capacity of 650,000 bpd following a performance assessment by its process licensors.

The development marks a significant operational milestone for the refinery, which is widely regarded as the world’s largest single-train petroleum refining facility.

In a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, the company explained that the increase demonstrates the refinery’s ability to process additional feedstock while optimising performance across its production units.

In his remark, Vice President, Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, said the refinery’s latest output increase forms part of a broader expansion strategy aimed at scaling capacity to 1.4 million bpd within the next 30 months.

Mr Edwin said the proposed expansion could position the facility among the largest refining complexes globally, while strengthening Nigeria’s drive for energy self-sufficiency.

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“The refinery’s growth trajectory reflects a deliberate move toward continental and global refining dominance, not just domestic supply sufficiency,” he said.

The announcement of reaching 70, 000 capacity comes a few days after the refinery chief executive disclosed that the production target of 70,000 barrels per day would be reached by 2028.

On Tuesday, the refinery CEO, David Bird, while speaking during the S&P Global Energy Middle East Petroleum and Gas Conference in London, said the refinery is currently operating at full nameplate capacity and is planning what he described as a “ruthless replication” strategy to expand output.

“We will bring 700,000 barrels per day of fully complex refining capacity on stream by the end of 2028,” he said, adding that long-lead equipment has already been procured while construction contracts are being awarded.

He added that the group could eventually increase refining capacity to 2.1 million bpd, supported by plans for another refinery in East Africa, positioning the company as a major player in global crude and refined product markets.

“Nigeria has gone from fuel scarcity to absolute fuel abundance since the Dangote refinery came online,” Mr Bird said.

According to Kpler data cited last month, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery exported an estimated 57 million barrels of jet fuel between April 2024 and April 2026.

The data showed exports rose from about 20,000 barrels per day in April 2024 to around 65,000 barrels per day by the end of that year before peaking at approximately 160,000 barrels per day during the review period.

The figures highlight the growing role of refined petroleum exports in Nigeria’s energy sector, particularly aviation fuel, as the country seeks to strengthen domestic refining capacity and reduce dependence on imported products.

Expansion plans and export ambitions

Owned by industrialist Aliko Dangote, the refinery commenced fuel production in 2024 and has since expanded output to include petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, and other refined petroleum products.

The company said the facility now supplies both domestic and international markets, exporting refined products to several African countries and to European destinations, including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands.

It also said refined products from the facility have reached markets in the United States, while jet fuel exports have extended to Saudi Arabia.

Dangote Industries argued that the refinery has increasingly played a stabilising role in regional fuel markets amid supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with more African countries turning to the facility for energy security.

Growing global footprint

The refinery’s rising output has further strengthened its position in global fuel markets.

The company noted that the facility emerged as the world’s largest exporter of jet fuel in April, citing data from S&P Global Commodities.

Industry analysts say the refinery’s operations have already contributed to reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products, easing pressure on foreign exchange demand and improving local fuel availability.

READ ALSO: Dangote refinery can supply Jet Fuel Globally — Official

As production volumes increase, the refinery has also attracted stronger engagement from international crude suppliers and commodity traders, sourcing feedstock from both domestic and foreign producers to sustain rising throughput.

Dangote Industries said the planned expansion to 1.4 million bpd by 2028 is expected to generate broader economic benefits, including job creation, increased industrial activity and improved trade balances.

The refinery also expects to deepen downstream industrialisation through increased supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), polypropylene and other industrial feedstocks used in manufacturing.

Plans also include production of Linear Alkylbenzene (LAB), a key raw material used in detergent manufacturing, as part of efforts to expand the country’s petrochemical value chain.


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