The Delta State Government announced the dismissal of several fraudulent health workers caught extorting money from pregnant women and children under five, while others faced demotion. This was revealed on Saturday by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, during the inauguration of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives Project Action Plan at Ashaka, Ndokwa East Local Government Area. According to Onojaeme, the Ministry of Health has fulfilled its mandate by ensuring proper monitoring of government-released funds and their utilization. He said, “The health workers in the state have actually done well, but you know that in every 12, there is Judas. There are several cases of fraud and malpractice among the health workers. We have received reports that some pregnant women and children under five visit our hospitals across the state, and some health workers will collect money from them for drugs. “And at the same time, they will send the medical bills to the government to pay. The state government is paying for all pregnant women and children under five to enjoy free health care. We have demoted some of these fraudulent health workers and sacked many within this short period. I believe that with the continuous monitoring and with the support of the mothers themselves, some of these fraudulent practices will be reduced. “Report any health worker immediately who collects money for the treatment of any child under five in any of our public hospitals. We run free treatment for pregnant women till delivery. The government is paying, and hospitals are not to collect money from them. We will make the phone number of the Executive Assistant to the Governor on health monitoring available, and when you see cases of demanding money from pregnant women, you should call the phone number immediately.” The representative of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr John Ovuoraye, expressed the commitment of the Federal Government to supporting state governments to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates in their states. Ovuoraye hinted that 172 local government areas across 33 states had been identified as high-risk areas with prevalence of maternal and neonatal deaths, including five local government areas in Delta, which are Ndokwa East, Ughelli North, Aniocha North, Udu and Sapele.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has declared a nationwide strike. In a directive issued after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Saturday, the Association instructed all members across offices, companies, institutions, and agencies to suspend services from 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025. PENGASSAN further ordered members deployed in field locations—including control room operators, panel operators, and outfield personnel—to down tools from 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 28, 2025, while commencing a continuous prayer vigil. According to the Association, the vigil is a call on God to compel authorities to prevail on Aliko Dangote and his associates to respect Nigeria’s laws. It emphasized that during the industrial action, no activity would be permitted in field operations except for interventions strictly related to the safety of personnel and assets, and such interventions must be cleared by the National Secretariat. Additionally, the union directed the immediate suspension of all processes involving gas and crude oil supply to the Dangote Refinery ”All PENGASSAN members across all offices, companies, institutions, and agencies should withdraw all services effective on Monday, 29th of September, 2025. ”All IOC branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals. “The prayer point should include a call to God Almighty to give courage to those in authority to rein in Dangote and his co-travelers on the need to obey the laws of our country. No man is bigger than our country, An injury to one is an injury to all,” the statement said.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has restarted the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, after the intervention of the Chairman of the Naira-for-Crude Transaction Committee. In a statement, the refinery stated: “Following the intervention of the Naira for Crude Transaction Committee Chairman, we are pleased to inform you of the resumption of PMS Sales in Naira commencing Immediately. “You may kindly proceed to place your orders in Naira for both self-collection and free delivery of PMS to the earlier advised locations across the country,” it said. Ads by The company explained that the temporary suspension of Naira-denominated petrol sales, announced on Friday and initially scheduled to take effect from Sunday 28 September, has been lifted. Dangote Refinery urged customers to disregard the earlier suspension notice, assuring that sales would continue without interruption to guarantee affordable petrol supply for Nigerians. Earlier, Dangote Petroleum Refinery had warned that the recent directive issued by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to cut crude oil and gas supplies to the refinery could plunge Nigerians into fresh rounds of fuel scarcity while inflicting huge revenue losses on the government. In a statement released on Saturday, the refinery described the directive as “criminal, reckless, and an act of economic sabotage” that, if enforced, would disrupt the production and nationwide supply of critical petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene, and cooking gas. The company stressed that these products are indispensable to daily life and the economy, warning that Nigerians at every level, from households to businesses and industries would bear the brunt of shortages.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has ordered its members nationwide to immediately suspend the supply of gas and crude oil to the Dangote Refinery. The directive was contained in a letter dated Saturday and signed by the union’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, addressed to its branch chairmen across the country. According to PENGASSAN, the move follows the refinery’s termination of over 800 workers. Consequently, the union instructed members to cut off gas supply to the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company Limited, close all crude oil supply valves to the refinery, and stop loading operations for any vessel bound for the facility. “We bring you fraternal greetings from the National Secretariat. As you are aware, the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has disengaged our members in reaction to the exercise of their constitutional right to be unionised. “They have gone further on a mission of misinformation and propaganda to justify this illegitimacy rather than engaging meaningfully with us to right the wrong. “Consequent to these, you are hereby directed to cut off gas supply to NGIC effective immediately. All crude oil supply valves to the refinery should be shut. The loading operation for the vessel headed there should be halted immediately. “NGIC Chairman, ensure that gas supply to the refinery is cut off effective immediately. “All chairmen on this summons are to report promptly the progress of the directive. Kindly accept the assurances of our highest esteem. Thank you. ‘Injury to one, injury to all,’” the letter reads. The move comes as a direct reaction to the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery’s dismissal of 800 workers following their decision to voluntarily join PENGASSAN. This development follows Dangote’s confirmation that the affected employees were terminated over alleged “sabotage.” On Friday, WAFFI TV had reported that the refinery laid off all its Nigerian staff after they joined the union. PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, in an interview with DAILY POST, insisted that every dismissed worker must be reinstated by the refinery.

Nigerians may face a steep hike in petrol prices as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced it will suspend sales of petrol in naira. The development was disclosed in a customer notice circulated to journalists on Saturday. In the notice, signed by the Group Commercial Operations of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, the company stated that the suspension will take effect from Sunday, September 28, 2025, due to the depletion of its crude-for-naira allocation. Part of the notice read, “We write to inform you that Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has been selling petroleum products in excess of our Naira-Crude allocations and, consequently, we are unable to sustain PMS sales in Naira going forward. “Kindly note that this suspension of Naira sales for PMS will be effective from Sunday, 28th of September, 2025. We will provide further updates regarding the resumption of supply once the situation has been resolved. “All customers with PMS transactions in Naira who would like a refund of their current payments should formally request the processing of their refund.”

Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, has dissolved the management of the State Pensions Board set up by former Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ikot Ibas (rtd). The dissolution was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday evening by the Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi S.I. Brown. Vice Admiral Ibas had inaugurated the board on September 12, barely six days before leaving office, with a mandate to reform the state’s pension system for improved efficiency. Governor Fubara has now directed that the responsibilities of the board be transferred to the Office of the Accountant General of Rivers State. The statement further instructed members of the dissolved board to hand over all assets and properties in their custody to the Director of Administration of the board. The notice read in part: “The Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, has approved the immediate dissolution of the Rivers State Pensions Board. Consequently, the Office of the Accountant General of Rivers State, henceforth, will handle the functions of the Board. Members of the defunct board are by this notice advised to hand over all properties and assets of the Board in their possession to the Director of Administration of the Board. His Excellency, the Executive Governor, will in due course constitute a new board to manage the affairs of pensions.”

Former Arsenal academy forward and Chichester City FC striker, Billy Vigar, has passed away after sustaining a “severe brain injury.” The 21-year-old, who was born in Worthing, suffered the injury during an Isthmian League Premier Division match against Wingate and Finchley on Saturday. Reports suggest he may have struck a concrete wall, though the club has not officially confirmed this. On Tuesday, Vigar underwent surgery in hopes of improving his chances of recovery. While the procedure offered some help, the injury ultimately proved fatal, and he passed away on Thursday morning. “The outpouring of support from the initial update reflects just how deeply Billy was admired and cherished within the football community,” his family noted. Arsenal paid tribute, remembering Billy for his talent, passion, pride in representing the club, and the warmth he shared with teammates and coaches, while offering condolences to his family and friends.Derby County, Hastings United, Eastbourne Borough, and The FA also offered their condolences.Chichester City announced Vigar’s passing and stated that Saturday’s match against Lewes will be postponed and rearranged.

In a move to expand access to technical education, the Federal Government has declared tuition-free education in all Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs) across Nigeria. The initiative also covers other approved fees, including boarding, uniforms, textbooks, exercise books, prospectus, identity cards, stationery, medicals, vocational materials, utilities, security, clubs and societies, website/e-results, Skool Media, extra lessons, and insurance. According to the government, the decision aligns with its free-education policy and is aimed at ensuring FTCs fulfil their mandate of producing skilled graduates to drive national transformation. A statement issued late Wednesday by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, advised parents to report any illegal financial demands directly to the Ministry via Hotline: 08036576733, 08036373796 or email: tse@education.gov.ng . The statement quoted the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, warning that no principal or administrator is allowed to collect unauthorized payments from parents or guardians. It added that the Minister has directed that circulars reaffirming this policy be dispatched to all FTCs and parents. “This initiative reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a pathway to human capital development. By equipping youth with employable skills, the government seeks to strengthen national progress and competitiveness. “No Nigerian child should be denied access to technical education because of illegal charges. By investing in education today, we are building a stronger, self-reliant Nigeria,” Dr. Alausa affirmed. The Ministry confirmed that monitoring mechanisms are in place to address any infractions swiftly. The statement, however, clarified that students are to purchase their personal items including Sunday/Jumat wears, bathroom slippers, blankets, bedsheets, pillowcases, towel, underwears as well as 1 ream of A4 paper (80 grams) for registration as well as other personal items and cleaning materials.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, says the country has ended a 10-year freeze in oil investments, citing reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Speaking at the U.S.–Nigeria Council’s oil sector session during the UN General Assembly, Lokpobiri said past stagnation crippled growth and investor confidence, but new policies are now attracting global energy players Lokpobiri pointed out that for more than a decade before President Tinubu assumed office, Nigeria saw no new investments in its oil industry.He added that the situation has now changed, with fresh pledges worth billions of dollars pouring in. The minister emphasized that Nigeria’s ongoing reforms are boosting local production while also establishing the nation as a reliable energy hub for West Africa and the wider continent.He called on international investors to tap into the opportunities within Nigeria’s fast-evolving oil and gas sector, emphasizing that its progress would not only drive regional stability but also strengthen global energy security.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has recorded a breakthrough in HIV prevention with the landmark price reduction of lenacapavir, a revolutionary drug, announced by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA). The development was unveiled during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2025 Annual Meeting, held alongside the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. Under the new deal, the cost of the twice-yearly HIV prevention injection has been cut from $28,000 (₦41.9 million) to just $40 (₦60,000) per person annually. This historic drop makes the drug affordable to millions in Nigeria and more than 100 other low- and middle-income countries. Studies show lenacapavir is up to 100 percent effective in preventing HIV infections. Representing Nigeria at the event, NACA Director-General, Dr. Temitope Ilori, hailed the agreement as a game-changer in the country’s HIV response. “Today marks a milestone in our fight against HIV in Nigeria and globally. This landmark access agreement unlocks affordable access to lenacapavir – a transformational option that guarantees longer protection, convenience, and renewed hope for millions at risk,” she said. Ilori further stressed that the achievement balances innovation with equity: “This breakthrough is not reserved for a privileged few. It sets the stage for broad, lasting impact for those who need it most.” The price slash was achieved through a coalition of global partners including UNITAID, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Wits RHI, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. (DRL), and the Gates Foundation, who have also committed to fast-tracking generic versions of lenacapavir by 2027. Nigeria’s involvement has been praised as a demonstration of leadership at the UNGA, reinforcing its commitment to scaling up prevention, strengthening health systems, and accelerating the goal of ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030. Currently, more than two million Nigerians live with HIV. While antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains freely available at public facilities, the rollout of lenacapavir is expected to significantly enhance prevention, especially among vulnerable groups.