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Abia Residents Decry Soaring Petrol Prices, Rising Transport Fares, and Economic Hardship

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Transporters and commuters in Abia State have voiced significant concern over the recent surge in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly referred to as petrol.

The price hike, which was announced by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), took effect on September 3, increasing the pump price from N617 per litre to a staggering N897 per litre.

This development has led to a chain reaction, causing a sharp rise in transportation costs and the prices of essential goods across the state.

According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), various transport operators and commuters shared their frustrations over the situation, describing it as “unbearable” for the average Nigerian citizen.

In separate interviews, they explained how the price increase is crippling their daily activities and making life more challenging.

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A tricycle driver based in Aba, Enyichi Nnadede, explained his dilemma, noting that the soaring cost of petrol had made him question whether it was even worth going out to work.

He lamented that the high cost of fuel was leaving him with very little profit at the end of each day, making it difficult to provide for his family.

He shared, “Fuel is extremely expensive right now. We’re purchasing it at N1,200 per litre, and by the end of the day, we can hardly make enough to feed our families.”

He further criticized petrol dealers, accusing them of exacerbating the crisis. “Yesterday, fuel was sold at N870 per litre, but today it has jumped to N1,200. What could have possibly changed overnight?” Nnadede asked.

Another transporter in Umuahia, Agu Chukwuma, echoed Nnadede’s frustrations, saying he had purchased fuel for N1,100 per litre on the same day.

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He expressed how the fuel price hike was eating into his already slim profit margins, making it almost impossible to sustain his transportation business. “We have no other source of livelihood.

The government is pushing us too far with these policies. They need to put an end to this economic hardship,” Chukwuma stated.

Commuters are not faring any better. A regular traveller between Aba and Umuahia, Adiele Chinaza, pleaded with the government to reconsider its policies, which he said were making life extremely difficult for everyday Nigerians.

“I have to travel from Aba to Umuahia every day for work, just like many other civil servants in Abia.

With transport fares skyrocketing, it will soon become impossible for us to meet up with our daily schedules,” he said. Chinaza highlighted that even the N70,000 minimum wage earned by civil servants would no longer be enough to meet basic living expenses under the current circumstances.

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Residents of Umuahia are feeling the pinch as well. Onyinyechi Ekwonye, a concerned citizen, pointed out that the ripple effect of the fuel price increase would be felt in the prices of everyday goods and services.

“The rise in transport fares is already driving up the cost of goods. We’re caught in a situation where both the government and the traders are making life harder for the rest of us.

It feels like we’re being punished from all sides,” she remarked. Ekwonye urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to step in and advocate for the people, saying the federal government’s policies were becoming too harsh for ordinary Nigerians to bear.

The consensus among the transporters, traders, and commuters in Abia is one of despair and frustration.

Many are calling on the government to find a solution to the fuel crisis and alleviate the mounting economic pressure on citizens.

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The fear is that if nothing is done to address the soaring cost of living, many Nigerians may soon find themselves unable to afford necessities, leading to a deeper crisis across‎ the nation.


 

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Diezani Alison-Madueke Seeks Court Approval to Amend Lawsuit Against EFCC Asset Forfeiture

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Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has filed a motion to amend her lawsuit challenging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) order for the final forfeiture of her seized assets.

At a Federal High Court hearing in Abuja presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, Alison-Madueke’s counsel confirmed filing the amendment motion and serving the EFCC. Notably, no EFCC representatives appeared in court.

The embattled ex-minister also sought an extension of time to contest the EFCC’s public notice regarding the sale of her confiscated properties, claiming she was denied a fair hearing during the forfeiture proceedings.

The EFCC, however, rejected Alison-Madueke’s allegations, maintaining that the forfeiture cases were lawfully adjudicated over time.

Justice Ekwo adjourned the case to February 17, 2025, to consider the motion to amend the originating process.

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Tron Founder Justin Sun Buys $6.2M Banana Artwork, Plans to Eat It

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Justin Sun, the founder of blockchain platform Tron, has purchased Comedian, a conceptual artwork by Maurizio Cattelan featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall, for $6.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York.

Initially valued at $1–$1.5 million, the sale exceeded expectations, drawing bids from seven contenders. Originally priced at $120,000 during its 2019 debut at Art Basel Miami Beach, Comedian has sparked global debates about the absurdities of contemporary art.

 

Sun views the purchase as a cultural statement rather than a simple acquisition. “This bridges art, memes, and cryptocurrency,” he said, revealing plans to eat the banana as part of the artwork’s experiential essence.

Known for challenging societal norms, Cattelan’s works often provoke controversy. Buyers of Comedian receive instructions to replace the banana due to its perishability.

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Sun’s acquisition highlights his growing involvement in art and tech intersections, following his $78.4 million purchase of Alberto Giacometti’s Le Nez. While celebrated as an entrepreneur, Sun has also faced legal challenges, including allegations of cryptocurrency manipulation.

The $6.2 million banana reinforces the unpredictable relationship between art, commerce, and culture, embodying modern art’s power to provoke and perplex.


 

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Peter Obi Donates ₦20 Million to Mary Agro Farms for Food Security

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Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, recently took to his social media handle to share his visit to Mary Agro Farms, located in Omughu, Obeleagu-Umana, in the Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

After attending the Peaceland University conference in Enugu, Obi traveled to the farm to witness firsthand the progress of one of the nation’s promising agricultural initiatives.

In his post, Obi reflected on his previous visit to the farm’s pilot scheme in Udi over two years ago, during which he offered his support.

Yesterday’s visit to the farm’s permanent site, however, left him astounded by the remarkable transformation that had taken place.

The expansion of Mary Agro Farms is a testament to the hard work and resilience of its management and staff.

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Obi praised the farm for its significant progress, noting that the scale of operations had grown considerably, demonstrating the immense potential of innovative farming practices to boost food security in Nigeria.

As part of his commitment to supporting productive ventures, Obi made a generous donation of ₦20 million to Mary Agro Farms.

He expressed his hope that the farm would continue to stay innovative and productive, especially during a time when Nigeria is grappling with severe hunger, food scarcity, and inflation.

The visit came at a time when global organizations have raised alarm over the worsening hunger crisis in Nigeria.

The United Nations recently issued a stark warning, indicating that at least 33 million Nigerians could face a major hunger crisis by 2025 unless urgent measures are taken.

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In addition, a report by Save the Children International highlighted that 5.4 million Nigerian children are at risk of acute malnutrition within the same period.

These statistics paint a grim picture of the food security situation in the country and emphasize the need for immediate intervention.

Obi urges action by calling governments at all levels to prioritize and invest in food production to address the crisis.

He stressed that the ongoing food scarcity and inflation must be met with concrete efforts to boost local food production and secure the nation’s future.

Mary Agro Farms, which has already demonstrated its potential with a strong commitment to agricultural productivity, has played a significant role in tackling food security challenges in the region.

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The farm’s success story is a model for how innovative farming techniques can transform the agricultural sector and contribute to the fight against hunger in the country.

By expanding its operations and scaling up production, Mary Agro Farms aims to play a part in alleviating the pressure on Nigeria’s food supply, which is critical in a nation struggling with high food prices and limited access to basic nutrition for many of its citizens.

Obi commended the management and staff of Mary Agro Farms for their dedication and urged them to continue their efforts, emphasizing that the country’s path to a more secure and well-fed future lies in the hands of innovators and hardworking individuals like them.


 

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