News
JUST IN: An End To Crude Oil Theft in Nigeria Underway – Uzodinma
The Chairman of the National Executive Council (NEC) Committee on Crude Oil Theft and Management, Hope Uzodinma, said Thursday, ‘there is an end in sight to crude oil theft in Nigeria.”
Uzodinma – the Governor of Imo State, who gave this assurance, described crude oil theft in Nigeria as a “monster”, that the menace is particularly worrisome, and tackling it decisively will improve the oil production profile of the country.
Uzodinma , had after a meeting of the Committee in Abuja, also ruled out the importation of crude oil in Nigeria but expressed optimism of an end to it.
He said that the report of the committee, if implemented by NEC will stop crude oil theft in Nigeria.
The committee had during its last meeting in January 2024 developed an action plan and roadmap that would be used to confront crude oil theft head on, and resolved to identify the areas of leakages, likely causes and way forward.
He said, “This is Sub-Committee on National Economic Council and our job is really to look into crude oil theft, and prevention of the theft. Arising from that, we did a lot of fact findings, we made a lot of consultations. We spoke to critical stakeholders and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.
“It is our hope that at the end of this assignment, we will put together a report that is very bold and courageous that will be useful to NEC, and if implemented, will stop this monster called crude oil theft. Then, our natural resources endowed by God, oil and gas, we will be able to tap into it and develop our country.
“The implications of increasing production and reducing losses is that we will become more solvent, our Naira will also be stronger and access to foreign exchange easy. In consequence of that, the cost of living will come down, and prices will begin to come down, inflation will also begin to reduced.”
“Nigeria Not Importing Crude Oil”
Uzodinma said, “I don’t think and I have never seen it anywhere that Nigeria is going to import or is importing crude oil. Of course, the sector is gradually being deregulated.
In our private refineries, of course under the open market system, private refineries can buy their crude oil from any market, anywhere in the world.
But for Nigeria as a country, currently we are exporting crude oil, I pray that there will be a day when we begin to import crude oil to augment what we have for the purpose of manufacturing and stimulating our economic activities.
“In South Korea, they have 22 refineries, and they don’t produce one barrel of crude oil. All the crude oil they use for processing or for servicing the refineries are all imported and it is defined and developed economy.
News
President Tinubu Marks Christmas with Courtesy Visits in Lagos.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu celebrated Christmas Day with traditional courtesy visits in Lagos, including a stop at the residence of renowned philanthropist and business mogul Chief Kessington Adebutu, popularly known as Baba Ijebu.
Later, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, paid a reciprocal visit to the President’s Lagos residence.
The outings underscore the President’s commitment to cultural ties, family traditions, and unity during the festive season, as he spends the Yuletide holidays in his home state.
See photos below:

Photos 1 & 2: President Bola.Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, visit Chief Kessington Adebutu in Lagos. Thursday, December 25, 2025

Photo 3: Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi visits President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu at the President’s residence in Lagos. Thursday, December 25, 2025

Photo 4: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi at the President’s residence in Lagos. Thursday, December 25, 2025

The visits were highlighted on the official State House website and widely shared across media outlets, reflecting the warm exchanges among Nigeria’s leaders during the holidays.
President Tinubu, who arrived in Lagos earlier in December for the festive period, continues to blend rest with engagements honoring longstanding relationships.
News
Presidency Debunks Rumors of Chief of Staff Replacement
The Nigerian Presidency has firmly dismissed circulating social media reports claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, with Principal Private Secretary Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
In an official statement issued on December 25, 2025, by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described the claims as a “viral falsehood” and a deliberate fabrication aimed at sowing discord within the administration.
“The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to a viral falsehood circulating on social media suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, with his Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola,” the statement read.
It emphasized: “There is absolutely no truth to this story. We advise Nigerians to disregard it entirely.
“The statement further clarified that both officials remain firmly in their positions. “The Chief of Staff remains in his position. The Principal Private Secretary likewise remains in his role. Hakeem Muri-Okunola has not replaced Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff.
“Labeling the rumor as the work of “mischievous purveyors of fake news,” the Presidency urged media outlets and the public to verify information before dissemination to avoid spreading misinformation.
The denial, posted on the official State House website and shared widely, comes amid heightened speculation on social media platforms.
Multiple Nigerian news outlets, including Channels Television, Premium Times, and The Nation, have reported on the clarification, confirming no changes in the President’s inner circle.
Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has served as Chief of Staff since June 2023. Muri-Okunola continues in his role as Principal Private Secretary.
The Presidency reiterated its commitment to accurate communication and called for responsible reporting during this period.
News
Fire at Great Nigeria Insurance House in Lagos Island Brought Under Control
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that the massive blaze at the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, is now under control following intense firefighting efforts overnight.
The fire, which broke out on Christmas Eve around 4:40 p.m. on the fifth floor of the building primarily used for warehousing clothing materials, corporate offices, and retail outlets, rapidly spread due to highly combustible stored goods.
Emergency responders received the distress call at 16:41 hours and arrived on scene by 16:53 hours. Crews from Ebute Elefun, Dolphin, Sari-Iganmu, Bolade, Isolo stations, and Alausa Headquarters were deployed in a coordinated operation.
As of this latest update, the fire’s intensity has been significantly reduced, with firefighters now focused on damping-down operations to extinguish remaining hotspots.
Ten individuals, mostly males, were rescued alive with varying degrees of injuries and are reported to be in stable condition. Operations continue to ensure no further casualties.
The inferno affected five adjoining buildings—two partially and three severely—including the historic old Lagos Central Mosque, which sustained major damage.Challenges hampering the response included poor storage practices of flammable materials, which fueled rapid spread; difficult crowd control and site accessibility; and the conjoined structure of the buildings, complicating containment.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, urging the public to remain calm, cooperate with responders, and follow safety guidelines.
Further updates will be provided as the situation evolves.
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