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Obasanjo Criticizes Fuel Subsidy Removal Amid Rising Inflation and Protests

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In a recent interview with the Financial Times, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo addressed the reemergence of the fuel subsidy in Nigeria, attributing its return to the inflationary pressures that have arisen since its removal.

The fuel subsidy, which was abolished in June 2023 by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has reportedly reappeared due to escalating inflation, according to Obasanjo.

Obasanjo criticized the manner in which the subsidy was eliminated, arguing that the government failed to implement necessary preparatory measures before its removal.

He emphasized the need for a more strategic approach, suggesting that the removal of the subsidy was executed abruptly without adequate planning.

“The subsidy we thought we had removed is effectively back because of inflation,” Obasanjo noted.

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He highlighted that there is considerable work required to address the economic issues at hand and called for a transition from a transactional economy to a transformational one to bolster investor confidence in Nigeria.

His comments come in the wake of persistent hunger protests across the country. These demonstrations, which began last Thursday, have now stretched into their fifth day, with a major demand being the reinstatement of the fuel subsidy.

In response to the protests, President Tinubu addressed the nation in a broadcast on Sunday, acknowledging the pain caused by the subsidy removal but defending it as a necessary measure. He argued that the subsidy was a significant burden on the country’s economic progress and development.

The impact of these economic changes is reflected in the sharp rise in core inflation, which surged to unprecedented levels of 34.19 percent and 40.87 percent in June 2024, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.


 

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Dangote Refinery Reduces Cooking Gas Price to Less Than ₦800

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The Dangote Refinery has once again shifted the energy market in Nigeria, this time by slashing the price of cooking gas to below ₦800 per kilogram, the cheapest the country has seen in years.

For months, Nigerians have battled with skyrocketing LPG costs that often ranged between ₦1,000 and ₦1,300 per kilogram, forcing many families to turn back to kerosene or even firewood. During a recent facility tour, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, promised to change that story. Now, he appears to be making good on his word.

The refinery, which produces around 22,000 tonnes of LPG daily, has enough capacity to influence prices across the country. By selling directly and avoiding multiple layers of middlemen, the refinery has pegged its ex-depot price at roughly ₦815/kg, undercutting other suppliers whose prices float between ₦825 and ₦900/kg.

If this trend holds, a standard 12.5kg cylinder could now sell between ₦10,200 and ₦11,000, compared to the ₦13,500 to ₦14,000 many Nigerians currently pay. For households struggling with high living costs, this is no small relief.

Many citizens have welcomed the move, praising Dangote for making clean energy more accessible. “People should not be cooking with firewood anymore,” he said, urging Nigerians to embrace safer and healthier alternatives.

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But not everyone is pleased. Some long-standing gas marketers worry about being pushed out of the business. Industry players argue that while cheaper gas is welcome, Dangote’s dominance could edge smaller distributors aside and tilt the market too heavily in his favor.


 

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Police Raid YG Entertainment Headquarters Over G-Dragon Copyright Case

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South Korean police have carried out a raid on YG Entertainment’s headquarters in Seoul as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged copyright infringement involving K-pop star G-Dragon and the company’s founder, Yang Hyun Suk.

The case traces back to a complaint filed in late 2024 by a composer identified only as “Mr. A,” who claims a song he created was used without his consent more than a decade ago. According to him, the track was reworked into a medley performed during G-Dragon’s 2009 concert and later included on his 2010 live album Shine a Light.

This is the second police raid on YG in connection to the matter, with investigators said to be gathering documents and questioning individuals linked to the song’s production. Authorities have not released further details, but confirmed the investigation is still active.

YG Entertainment has rejected the accusations, insisting the issue stems from a misunderstanding. They explained that during the 2009 concert preparations, there were two completely different songs sharing the same title, which may have caused the confusion.


 

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Femi Otedola’s Shocking Account of How Banks Turned on Him After Business Collapse

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Popular Nigerian Billionaire, Femi Otedola, reveals how some banks treated him once his business failed in 2009.

The businessman revealed in his soon to be released book “Making It Big” and shared details of when he went bankrupt. He shares that it had to do with the sudden increase in dollars and explained how jt affected him greatly.

He then adds concerning banks “One moment, I was the darling of the banks, who did everything in the world to court me, do business with me, give me loans, take deposits from me.”

“They would send bewitching ladies to make their offers more convincing, and now I was waking up to the sight of hefty, barrel-chested men standing menacingly in front of my gate, waiting for the moment I’d step out of my compound.”


 

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